Answering Pope Benedict’s Call for Audacious Evangelization

Recently, Pope Benedict XVI asked European bishops to be audacious in their evangelization.

He told them to “identify new ways of evangelization with missionary audacity.”

But isn’t audacity kind of negative? Reckless?

Should Catholic evangelization be audacious?

Actually, this is nothing new! In fact, it’s biblical.

Not only should Catholic evangelization be audacious, it always has been.

Biblical audacity

Webster defines audacity as the bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints.

Audacity is reckless and daring. But it’s also brave, bold, fearless, and dauntless.

So what is the authentically Catholic audacity Pope Benedict calls for? There’s a specific Greek word used in the Bible to describe this–parrhesia.

The apostles were audacious

Parrhesia is fearless trust, bold confidence. It’s going full speed ahead to the edge of the envelope because you’re fearless in the face of opposition.

The apostles had parrhesia in their preaching. When St. Peter preached at Pentecost he spoke boldly and without fear.

Nothing could stop them! When the temple officials ordered them to stop they wouldn’t. Even after they beat them the apostles wouldn’t stop.

St. Paul had this fearless confidence too.

“He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance [parrhesia] and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31).

Our audacity must come from God

This boldness comes from the Lord. It’s “complete assurance” that the Lord is on your side.

Authentic audacity is the product of complete trust in God. Christ has conquered! He made us sons and daughters of the Father. So, we are members of his family!

We can be outspoken and bold in talking about God because he’s backing us up!

It’s like when a little kid talks trash with his friends because his big brother is around. He knows someone has his back.

New media audacity

So here’s the good part. When the Pope talks about new ways to be audacious in evangelizing–he highlights new media!

“There is also question of seeking new ways to evangelize, such as, for example, new technology, the Internet, and social networking sites.”

I can’t think of any better way to do it! The Pope is recognizing the power of new media and technology to spur Catholic evangelization.

It’s the new missionary frontier. A new and efficient way of reaching people who don’t yet believe in Christ, right where they live and interact.

Evangelization takeaway

One thing is certain. This won’t happen if you and I rely only on our own talents, abilities, and skills.

“But all this is only possible if, following the example of the Christians of the Acts of the Apostles, we open ourselves up in a new way to the Holy Spirit: ‘There will be no new evangelization without a new Pentecost!'” Pope Benedict said.

It was the Holy Spirit that gave the apostles their fearless trust and bold confidence–their audacity. An audacious new evangelization will only take place again if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, if we allow a new Pentecost to happen in us.

So my fellow new media evangelists, the call to be audacious is out!

We need to proclaim our message boldly, with confidence that God (and the Pope) want our message to produce fruit. We need to fearlessly trust that the Lord is backing us up and giving us what we need to succeed. And, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in developing new ways of telling our Catholic story and reaching the world through the internet.

Why be afraid? God is on our side!

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net