When we think of the call to evangelization, we might conjure up images of street preachers and television evangelists shouting about the “wages of sin.”
- But true evangelization—
- whatever form it takes—
- is born from a ***love for people ***and a desire that everyone on earth come to know the love of Christ and the blessings of living in his kingdom.
- As St. Paul once told the Corinthians: “The love of Christ impels us” to proclaim Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told the apostles: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Beginning on Pentecost, the apostles did just that, and the work of evangelization continues to this day. It is a calling that has not changed over the years, as Pope Paul VI affirmed in his letter On Evangelization in the Modern World:
“We wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church” (14).
- Evangelization is not an optional add-on.
- It is at the very heart of what it means to be followers of the Lord.
- We might respond by quoting the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
- : “Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary.”
- But this doesn’t mean that we can choose between proclaiming
- and living the gospel,
- as if they both accomplish the same thing.
Paul VI explained the interplay between word and witness this way:
“The Good News proclaimed by the witness of life sooner or later has to be proclaimed by the word of life. There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed” (22).
- If you find yourself hesitant when it comes to talking about Jesus,
- the solution is simple:
- Pray for boldness,
- and take a step in faith.
- God will honor your efforts. He
- will breathe his life into your words, so that his gospel can continue to spread.
“Lord Jesus, increase my love and compassion for my brothers and sisters so that I will not be afraid to share your good news. Lord, give me the confidence to tell people about you.”
