“The universal mission [of evangelization] involves all, everything and always. The Gospel is not an exclusive good of the one who has received it, but is a gift to be shared…And this gift-commitment is entrusted not only to a few, but to all the baptized…”
(Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Mission Sunday 2011)
You’ve got to love it when the Pope backs you up!
Well, maybe it’s the other way around. Anyway…
I’ve written a lot about evangelization over the past few weeks in my Evangelization Basics blog series.
Well, Pope Benedict just released his Message for World Mission Sunday 2011, and in it he makes a lot of the same points I emphasized!
His main theme: evangelization underlies all activity in the Church.
Here are some quotes from his message that stand out.
1. Evangelization Is Necessary
“This task [evangelization] has not lost its urgency. On the contrary, “the mission of Christ Redeemer, entrusted to the Church, is still far from being accomplished…”
This task is definitely far from being accomplished. Even Catholic intellectuals are saying it doesn’t matter if you leave the Church because any old religion will do!
We should never think there’s no need to tell people about the beauty and richness of the Catholic Faith. People need this truth! It can change them!
2. Evangelization Is the Foundation
“All activities are also implied in it [the mission of evangelization].”
The main message in my series is that evangelization is the foundation and key to everything. All activities are implied in it because all activities flow from it.
As St. Therese of Lisieux proclaimed, the heart of the Church is love. All activity in the Church flows from love. Martyrs die, apostles preach, missionaries seek…all animated by love. Evangelization forms love in the hearts of the faithful.
3. Evangelization Should Be A Pastoral Priority
“Attention and cooperation in the evangelizing work of the Church in the world cannot be limited to some particular moments and occasions, nor can they be considered as one of the many pastoral activities: the missionary dimension of the Church is essential and, therefore, must always be kept present.”
Evangelization should be integrated into the framework of the parish mission. Parishes should be conversion factories where all programming works toward it in some way! Evangelization then becomes, not just one activity, but THE activity of the parish.
4. Evangelization Is For Everyone
“Hence it is important that every baptized person as well as the ecclesial communities be interested not only in a sporadic and irregular way in the mission, but in a constant way, as the way of Christian life.”
Formal parish programs are necessary. However, evangelization works best in the context of ordinary, everyday life. Wouldn’t you tell your friend about a great movie you saw or a restaurant you loved if they asked? Real evangelization happens when Catholics live their faith and share it when asked.
What do you think? Have you read the Pope’s message? Are there any other quotes that stood out to you? Tell me about them in the comments!
“Hence it is important that every working person as well as their households be interested not only in a sporadic and irregular way in saving money, but in a constant way, as the way of thrifty life.”
Would that motivate anyone to start saving money who isn’t already doing it? Not a bit.
Well personally, I get very fired up and excited when I read that stuff, which I guess explains why I put it in the blog and write about it. 😉
I understand what you’re saying, it’s very stuffy language. But it’s theologian-ese. It’s very formal writing. It’s not like a blog where it’s casual. I think it’s meant for people like you and me who do get excited when hearing it. Then we write about it in a more common and understandable way or talk about it to others. That’s a role I’ve always played in the parish. How many average people have the time to read encyclicals or the training to understand them well?
Anyway, if they did write it like blog posts, I wouldn’t have anything to do!
God bless!
As St. Therese of Lisieux proclaimed, the heart of the Church is love. All activity in the Church flows from love. Martyrs die, apostles preach, missionaries seek…all animated by love. Evangelization forms love in the hearts of the faithful… This is so true. I never want to go back to the cold, dark “place” in which I lived before we came back to the Church. I am forever grateful that Fr. Diaz was not only orthodox but loving. He “loved” us back into the Church which opened up our hearts, which in turn opened up our minds to want to “love, honor and obey” the Church, not because of anything written in Canon Law but just as a proper response to that love.
So very true indeed! Thanks for the comment!
“Real evangelization happens when Catholics live their faith and share it when asked.”
It’s easy for some to see evangelization as a big ray gun you can just go around zapping people with, racking up numbers of the converted. The ray gun approach, though, is flawed and even harmful to evangelization efforts.
Patience, I think, is key. By living and sharing your faith, and letting people see why the Church is an important part of your life, you provide proof the Church is not some inert, old-world institution. Then, others can warm up to the word of God at their own pace, taking ownership of their faith when they’re ready, rather than feeling it was forced upon them.
I think you’re right, patience is the key! Part of that is letting God have control. The ray gun approach is like taking things into your own hands and forcing the issue to make things happen instead of waiting on God’s timing. It’s hard to do not to do, though. But, God has the perfect timing for everyone involved.
Thanks again for the comments! They are appreciated!