'Evangelii Gaudium' Reminds Us That Jesus Call Us To Discipleship
Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), is truly a living symbol of his life. Since his election, he has brought a spirit of joy to the Catholic Church. Even Christians of other traditions and non-Christians speak of their admiration of him. Joy is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life, and the Church and Pope Francis are filled with the Spirit’s joy. Who of us of the Catholic faith are not touched by his exuberant smile and happiness exuding from deep within him? So it seemed only appropriate that his first Apostolic Exhortation should be titled “The Joy of the Gospel.”
“The Joy of the Gospel”is written to remind Catholics that Jesus calls us to faith in Him not only for our own sakes. No, Jesus calls us to be disciples with a mission! Matthew describes that mission clearly at the end of his Gospel – “Go forth and make disciples of all nations.” Sharing the Good News of Jesus is the primary work of the Church as individual Christians, parishes, dioceses and the worldwide Church, so that others may find eternal life in Jesus.
Pope Francis’ message is not new in our contemporary age. Pope Paul VI, in his magnificent encyclical letter, “Evangelization in the Modern World,” addressed this same issue. Unfortunately, he will be remembered mainly for his encyclical letter “Humane Vitae” (On Human Life), which deals with more than artificial birth control – also the beauty of married love and responsible parenthood. He also wrote the thought-provoking encyclicals “On the Church,” regarding “how Catholics should dialogue among themselves and with other Christians and non-Christians,” and “Peace in the World,” in which he calls nations to build peace on more just social conditions.
In “Evangelization in the Modern World,” Pope Paul wrote that baptized disciples are called to evangelize the world. Jesus sends us to announce His Good News of love and mercy. This usually conjures up notions of Mormons going door-to-door. Such an outreach mission terrifies Catholics, who tend to be more private. We usually wait until people come to us wanting to join our Church. We don’t go out of our way to speak about our faith. Jesus gave the responsibility of evangelizing the world to every baptized Christian, not just to priests and religious.
Pope Paul VI said that the Church evangelizes in two ways – through formal and informal evangelization. Formal evangelization consists of catechetical programs in a diocese or parish to spread the Gospel. Sometimes parishes welcome people back through billboards or newspaper ads. Formal evangelization involves the programs we conduct in our parishes to strengthen our own faith and to spread the faith – religious education, youth ministry, RCIA, adult formation, retreats and so forth.
Informal evangelization is what Christians do by living their daily lives witnessing Christ’s love “in the marketplace.” Wherever we go, we have an opportunity to be Christ to others – in our homes, workplaces, schools, grocery stores, and many other places we may be placed in the course of a week. Pope Paul claimed this is what attracts others to Christ. Seeing Catholics in action makes them wonder what makes us tick, and how we face difficulties with great faith. They desire what we have. They become attracted to Jesus and the Church through us. Sometimes people may approach us. Then we have an opportunity to share the Good News of our faith.
In the previous Roman Missal, the Preface for the Apostles expressed this reality so beautifully in these words: “O God, you have established the Church upon the faith of the Apostles as the living Gospel for all people to hear.” What Gospel do you and I preach each day?
