Evangelizing at scale

THE task of evangelization is a constant and abiding one.

Every person has to be evangelized. Everyone situation can be and

should be an occasion for evangelization. Evangelization is not

optional. It is a necessity.

             The basis for this assertion is nothing less than the

marching orders Christ gave his apostles before he went up to heaven:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mk

16,15) These words are also meant for us, since Christ’s redemptive

mission has to go on until the end of time, this time with our

cooperation.

  

            We have to understand that the gospel is the living word

of God that would make Christ, the fullness of God’s revelation to us,

alive in our lives. It is imperative, therefore, that the gospel be

spread around as widely as possible with the view of making everyone

to live according to it. And that’s simply because Christ is the

pattern of our humanity, and the redeemer of our fallen humanity.

   

            We should always feel the necessity and urgency of this

duty. If at the moment we still feel cold toward it, now can be the

time to work out such vivid awareness of this duty. It’s never too

late to do so.

  

            To carry out this duty well, we need to be always

attentive to God’s will and word, on the one hand, and the conditions

of the people we have to evangelize, on the other. We act like

middlemen who try to look for ways to let God reach his people and

vice-versa.

  

            This is where we can talk about the need to learn how to

evangelize at scale, that is, in a manner that is attuned to how the

people can receive God’s word effectively. Things have to be adapted

to their level of understanding, without compromising the integrity of

the faith. They need to get in touch with God on an inclined plane.

  

            The usual problem we encounter in pursuit of

evangelization is that the doctrine of our faith is usually

transmitted in a manner that is over the head of the people. Because

of this, people get turned off rather than motivated to know, love and

live the doctrine.

  

            In this regard, we cannot overemphasize the need to truly

know God by praying, getting to know him intimately, studying the

doctrines of our faith which is not simply a matter of putting them

into rote memory but rather of discerning the living spirit behind

them. In that way, we can get to know God vitally, not just

mechanically.

             This will obviously involve the constant exercise of our

faith, hope and charity and the other virtues that go into developing

a vibrant piety. God is, of course, supernatural par excellence, and

so we cannot dare to know him completely. But that incompleteness

should spur us, rather than hinder us, to know him better and better

everyday.

   

            With respect to knowing the people as they are, we cannot

overemphasize the need to always be with them, one way or the other,

if not physically, then mentally, emotionally, socially, or

spiritually.

  

            We should try our best to deal with them as closely as

possible. And if possible, we should try to gain their friendship and

confidence. If not, we can always use the new technologies to somehow

complement or supplement what may be lacking in having a direct

personal contact with them.