We All Must Proclaim The Gospel
For the next few weeks we are going to reflect upon Pope Francis’ teachings in Chapter 3 of “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”). He reminds us that proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus is the work of every Christian and the entire Church. Years ago, we probably had the idea that priests were the ones who primarily carried out the work of “evangelization” – that is, proclaiming Christ to deepen the parishioners’ faith through homilies and working privately with new converts.
Vatican II changed that narrow perception – all Christians “evangelize,”proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus by how we live, and thus bringing others to Christ. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults emphasizes this same truth – that the primary mission of all Christians, every parish and every diocese is to evangelize. As Catholics, do we realize that this is our responsibility? Faith in Jesus has not been given only for ourselves, but to attract others to Him. If we think God has given us faith only to save our own souls, our faith can become self-centered. Jesus sent out his Apostles to make disciples of all nations, which has become our ministry today. Each Mass concludes with the admonition to go forth and bring the Good News to others.
Pope Francis writes: “The Church … is more than a … hierarchical institution; she is first and
foremost a people advancing on its pilgrim way to God … she exists … in history as a people of
pilgrims and evangelizers” (E.G. 111). Christians are brought into the Church by God’s
gracious mercy and initiative (E.G. 111), for we have done nothing to deserve our gift of faith
in Jesus. Our belief in Jesus and membership in the visible Body of Christ on earth are God’s freely
given gifts to us, for which we can only be thankful and that we must share with others.
Pope Francis reiterates this truth: “The salvation … God offers us is the work of His mercy. No human efforts, however good they may be, can enable us to merit so great a gift. God, by His sheer grace, draws us to Himself and makes us one with Him. He sends His Spirit into our hearts to make us His children, transforming us and enabling us to respond to His love by our lives. The Church is sent by Jesus Christ as the sacrament of the salvation offered by God” (E.G. 112). Parishes are called to see themselves as instruments of God’s grace in bringing others to faith in Jesus. In accepting God’s invitation, we become evangelizers with Him.
The new life God gives us in Christ is for everyone. “God … calls us together as a people and not as isolated individuals. No one is saved by himself or herself, individually, or by his or her own efforts” (E.G. 113). God attracts us to Himself in the Church to share in the deepest communion with the Holy Trinity. This Church is not to be “an exclusive and elite group” (E.G. 113) for we, like the first disciples, are told by Jesus “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Parishes and individual Christians are obligated by our baptism to welcome all people who come to us.
Christians are called to “bring God’s salvation into the world” (E.G. 114) – wherever we go, we have an opportunity to proclaim Christ’s love by our deeds of kindness, thoughtfulness, goodness; and sometimes by our words.
