"Without ever hiding the most radical demands of the Gospel message" --John Paul II

[Sayanz]

John Paul II encouraged all Catholics in his “master plan” for the new millennium, Novo Millennio Ineunte, to proclaim the Word of God “without ever hiding the most radical demands of the Gospel message.”

My question is how can Catholics talk more about these radical demands and “not hide” them?

I looked at the Catechism and found some radical teachings which Catholics nowadays don’t seem to know about, or they do know them but do not generally talk about them.

-Jesus “asks for a radical choice: to gain the kingdom, one must give everything (Mt 13:44-45)” (CCC 546).

-“The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example.” (CCC 459)

• “The first commandment enjoins us to love God above everything and all creatures for him and because of him.” (2093)

Of course, I understand that to start talking of “radical demands” before anything else might be counterproductive, but the problem is that most of the time it is not even talked about at all.

So back to the question: how can we make people talk about these radical demands more and more?

 

[YinYangMom]

Sayanz:

John Paul II encouraged all Catholics in his “master plan” for the new millennium, Novo Millennio Ineunte, to proclaim the Word of God “without ever hiding the most radical demands of the Gospel message.”

My question is how can Catholics talk more about these radical demands and “not hide” them?

I looked at the Catechism and found some radical teachings which Catholics nowadays don’t seem to know about, or they do know them but do not generally talk about them.

-Jesus “asks for a radical choice: to gain the kingdom, one must give everything (Mt 13:44-45)” (CCC 546).

-“The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example.” (CCC 459)

• “The first commandment enjoins us to love God above everything and all creatures for him and because of him.” (2093)

Of course, I understand that to start talking of “radical demands” before anything else might be counterproductive, but the problem is that most of the time it is not even talked about at all.

So back to the question: how can we make people talk about these radical demands more and more?

The quote says ‘proclaim’…I’m reminded that our proclamation can be done with words, if necessary, but first and foremost by our actions.

We can’t make anyone do anything.
God didn’t make us love Him.
The Church doesn’t make us be Catholic.
We are all invited into the Truth. Some accept, some reject. Many are hesitant to reply.

So we live our lives according to the faith, and if the subject happens to come up and our response to the conversation is challenged then we defend the Church’s teaching, thus sharing the Truth with others once they’ve brought up the subject.

But if indeed the Pope is calling us to actually go out and start conversations with words then I’d seek further guidance from my bishop and priest. Certainly there will be programs developed in which we can participate to meet the goals. We are never alone in our mission and if the Pope wills it, he’ll provide the resources to help us make it happen.

 

[Sayanz]

Thanks a lot, YinyangMom.

I see your point. Sanctity is the only way sanctity is begotten.

Still, how great it would be if more priests and bishops and lay leaders talk more about this.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the “Church’s first purpose is to be the sacrament of the inner union of men with God.” Thus the Church’s “structure is totally ordered to the holiness of Christ’s members.”