Pope Francis Calls Us To Be 'spirit-filled Evangelizers'

Pope Francis concludes The Joy of the Gospel with a chapter on “Spirit-Filled Evangelizers.”  Baptism calls each Christian to invite others to believe in Jesus.  This goes contrary to our American mentality because we all learned the three things we are never to talk about – money, politics and religion.  Pope Francis challenges us to change this understanding and start sharing our faith in Jesus “not only with words, but above all by a life transfigured by God’s presence” (Evangelii Gaudium 259).

When a man and woman fall in love, they find themselves “floating on Cloud 9.”  They are eager to share the good news of their newfound love with others.  This is true even more after their engagement.  This is an excellent example of what Pope Francis writes, that “The primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him.  What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known?” (E.G. 264). 

We need to deepen our love for Christ through prayer, reflection on God’s Word, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (cf. E.G. 262).  However, the Pope warns that our prayer can never “become an excuse for not offering one’s life in mission” (E.G. 262).  God gives us faith not only for ourselves, but for others in whom “there already exists…an expectation, even if an unconscious one, of knowing the truth about God…  We have a treasure of life and love which cannot deceive, and a message which cannot mislead or disappoint.  It penetrates to the depths of our hearts, sustaining and ennobling us. It is a truth which is never out of date because it reaches that part of us which nothing else can reach.  Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love” (E.G. 265). 

True missionaries “know that Jesus walks with them, speaks to them, breathes with them, and works through them.  They sense that Jesus is alive with them as they go out to share Jesus’ love (cf. E.G. 266). Missionaries have a passion for Jesus and for God’s people (cf. E.G. 268).  How evident this was in Pope Francis when he visited homeless shelters and schools in Harlem during his September visit to the U.S.  Missionaries do not shy away from being concerned about the needs of others.  In fact, our faith in Jesus throws us right into the middle of the lives of others.

The Holy Father says that we see this in Jesus’ own life, in “the closeness which he shows to everyone…  he looks into their eyes with deep love and concern…  he is accessible… his sensitivity in allowing a sinful woman to anoint his feet…  Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is nothing else than the culmination of the life he lived his entire life” (E.G. 269).  Jesus’ example is motivates Christians to enter into society, listening to people’s concerns, helping them materially and spiritually, rejoicing and weeping with others according to their circumstances so that “arm in arm with others, we are committed to building a new world” (E.G. 269).  This is the truth St. John proclaims “whoever says he loves God, but hates his neighbor is a liar”. 

Christians have a message of hope for the world – in Jesus, God shows his love for all people and in the risen Christ we find a peace which this world can never give us.

This concludes Father Sauer’s series on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium.”His column will continue twice each month in The Message.