This is the Message We Proclaim

Can you tell someone the core of what we believe as Catholics?

Not necessarily the core doctrines, but the essence of what you’re about as a Catholic.

What you have and what you hope for in Christ. The message of salvation.

See, Protestants have this thing down! They can easily recite the “Gospel.”

It seems trite to many Catholics that know a lot of theology–like it’s dumbing things down. However, there’s a shrewd teaching tool in that simple, easily repeated, core message.

A core story unites people around a certain concept. That’s powerful in terms of creating and maintaining a group’s identity.

So what is the Catholic Gospel message?

The Gospel is not just a Protestant thing

When I was a kid, I used to watch Protestant evangelists on TV. My mom liked Kenneth Copeland.

They were always talking about the Gospel. But they never said what it was! I think it’s because they just took it for granted that everyone knew it. They didn’t have to say it because it was understood.

But I didn’t understand it! And, I wanted to know!

My search for the Gospel

After I re-converted, I read a lot of stuff on Catholicism. I figured I’d find the Gospel. But I never did.

Then I went to study at Franciscan and I figured, surely I’ll learn the Gospel! But again, I didn’t!

Finally, Dr. Scott Hahn mentioned it in class one day. It was just passing during a tangent. I quickly wrote it down! I was so excited…it was the gospel! No one else seemed to share my excitement though.

This is the message we proclaim

It wasn’t until I got into the Catechetics program at Franciscan that someone actually taught about the Gospel message and why it was important.

Here’s a simple Gospel formula that I learned there and use often. It helps me keep priorities when I’m wondering what to teach or how I should position a certain teaching.

• In His infinite goodness (Eph 2:7), the Father in heaven has called us (1 Pet 5:10) to be united with Him in life and joy (John 17:21), sharing His divine riches (Eph 2:7):
• through Christ, His Son (1 Pet 5:10)–Him He gave as a ransom for us sinners (1 Tim 2:6; 1 John 4:10), and into His likeness He desires that we be conformed (Rom 8:20),
• so that, born anew of water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5), and thus made partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), we may be children of God (1 John 3:1).
• And because we are God’s children, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Gal 4:6):
• thus being the temple of God (1 Cor 6:19), we are to live the life of God’s children (Rom 6:4), following the example of Christ, our first-born brother (Rom 8:29),
• so that we may gain the kingdom of God and His glory, as heirs of God (1 Thess 2:12), joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17).

Johannes Hofinger, The Good News and It’s Proclamation

Catechetical Takeaway

Having a concise Gospel message isn’t emphasized much in the Catholic world. However, I think it’s important. Every catechist should know something like this and be able to recite it.

It doesn’t have to be this exact wording. It could be shorter and in your own words. But it should be in your arsenal. They may not remember everything you teach, but if you tell them this core message over and over, it will stick!

Having a simple, easy to recite, core message is a powerful way to bring unity to a topic or a group…like Cradle Catholics.

If you know what you’re about, what defines you, it’s easier to maintain an identity. And that, in essence, is what your trying to accomplish as a catechist.

A core story like the Gospel message is the best way to do that.

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