# Disciples Called to Witness – Acts 1:8
*2016-11-19*

> Bill Young reflects on the Year of Mercy, the call to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, and how modern media can be used for evangelization.

## A Year of Mercy and Recent Travels

Bill opens by noting the feast of Christ the King and the final day of Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy. He shares a recent pilgrimage with a group from Sydney, Australia, visiting the four major basilicas in Rome—St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul‑outside‑the‑Walls—where they received prayers, celebrated Mass, and received confessions.

## The Bulletin and the Call to Witness

Bill discusses a bulletin he received that quotes Luke 21:16‑19, reminding us that disciples will be handed over, hated, and even put to death for Christ’s name, yet God will protect them. He ties this to Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” He emphasizes that today’s communication tools—Internet and social media—are the most effective means to fulfill this mission.

## Evangelization in the Digital Age

Bill encourages listeners, especially those who speak another language, to become disciples on the airwaves—through podcasts, radio shows, or social media. He cites Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s use of print media in the 1930s as a model, asking why we cannot reach millions today. He stresses the importance of feedback, inviting comments and referrals to gauge impact.

## Living the New Evangelization

Bill reads a prayer from the bulletin that asks the Holy Spirit to inspire all Catholics to go forth, make disciples of all nations, and embrace those who have drifted from the faith. He reminds us that many family members may have left the Church, thinking they can “talk to God” without organized worship, and calls us to invite them back through love and witness.

## Practical Steps and Invitation

Bill shares how he began his own ministry after a discipleship retreat at St. Maximilian Kolbe in South Florida. He acknowledges his own limitations—his New York accent and modest voice—but urges anyone to start a podcast or radio program, offering technical help. He provides his email (WR‑Young‑12@yahoo.com) for contact and stresses that even a single prayer or post can change a life.

*Every Catholic, no matter how small their platform, is called to be a witness to the ends of the earth using the tools God has given us.*