Evangelization

LIFE, of course, goes on regardless of whatever circumstances define our present time. We continue, even unknowingly, to exchange things with everyone else here and now, and also with those before and after us. This is how life goes.

We always feel the need to communicate. This is how we transmit customs and traditions, cultivate cultures, wage an ongoing process of education, of socio-economic development, etc.

As we gain more hindsight about the world in general and ourselves, we can readily discover that all these aspects of communication comprise a unity, a dynamic one that has a beginning and an end, and that has a meaning and dimensions that transcend our earthly, material and temporal yardsticks.

This is where we realize there’s a mysterious world out there with which we are unavoidably related. This is where we also notice that within ourselves a certain tension exists that needs to be relieved and given due attention.

If we reflect a little more, we are bound to realize that we are actually a vital part of a very dynamic overall composition—an eternal plan—where there is God and we are creatures, and where, whether we are keenly aware of it or not, we—God and us—are bound with each other in a living relationship.

It’s a relationship that has to be maintained by both parties—God and us—in the way each one of us is, that is, God as God, the fullness of being who loves us and continues to deal with us, and us as persons with intelligence and will and as God’s children who have to learn to love him in return.

That is why we have to understand that our urge to communicate is a vital part of this endless, universal communication that is the source and end of all our earthly communications.

God takes the initiative to share things with his creatures, and with us, he shares nothing less than his own self. Thus, he is not contented with creating us and endowing us with the best of things. Even if we sinned and continue sinning, he keeps loving us, and loving us to the full.

Though we can know and start to love him just by observing things around us, God reveals himself directly to us. This revelation reaches its fullness in the coming of his son who became man like us except sin, Jesus Christ.

He, Jesus, showed us the way to be like God. That way is a living way, no less that Jesus himself who becomes alive to us in the Holy Spirit, and who will continue to be with us up to the end of time.

But we have to do our part. Among the things we need to do is to fulfill what our Lord asked us—to evangelize, since he said: “Go therefore, teach to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28,19)

This duty of evangelization has been studied in the Church through the ages. It may just be worthwhile to echo some of the salient points involved, like:

- To evangelize does not simply mean to teach a doctrine, but to proclaim Jesus Christ by one’s words and actions, that is, to make oneself an instrument of Christ’s presence and action in the world;

- Evangelization is not only done through public preaching or works of public relevance, but also and always by means of personal witness;

- Evangelization enriches both the recipient and the giver;

- Every Church activity has an evangelizing dimension. It can never be separated from the commitment to help everyone to meet Christ in faith. We should not limit ourselves only to giving people knowledge, ability, technical competence and tools. These are not enough;

- Evangelization proceeds by dialogue and respectful proclamation. Coercion or improper enticement that fails to respect the dignity and religious freedom of people has no place in evangelization.

There are more, but these suffice for the moment. What is important to realize is to effectively carry out this duty, one has to take care of his own spiritual life and continuing formation.

These will insure a living identity with Christ, accompanied by the appropriate attitudes, supernatural instincts, virtues, skills and competence. These will turn us into Christ’s witnesses and bearers of his teaching and spirit.