The Call to Evangelization
Catholic evangelization is a profound and multifaceted process that seeks to bring the transformative message of Jesus Christ into every aspect of human life. At its core, evangelization involves the proclamation of the Gospel, inviting individuals and communities to encounter the love and mercy of God through Jesus Christ. This mission is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition and is considered the essential task of the Church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) emphasizes that evangelization is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of conversion and renewal, leading to a deeper union with God.
In ‘Evangelii Nuntiandi’,the Church defines what evangelization is all about, “As the kernel and center of His Good News, Christ proclaims salvation, this great gift of God which is liberation from everything that oppresses man but which is above all liberation from sin and the Evil One, in the joy of knowing God and being known by Him, of seeing Him, and of being given over to Him. All of this is begun during the life of Christ and definitively accomplished by His death and resurrection. But it must be patiently carried on during the course of history, in order to be realized fully on the day of the final coming of Christ, whose date is known to no one except the Father. This kingdom and this salvation, which are the key words of Jesus Christ’s evangelization, are available to every human being as grace and mercy, and yet at the same time each individual must gain them by force – they belong to the violent, says the Lord, through toil and suffering, through a life lived according to the Gospel, through abnegation and the cross, through the spirit of the beatitudes. But above all each individual gains them through a total interior renewal which the Gospel calls metanoia; it is a radical conversion, a profound change of mind and heart. Christ accomplished this proclamation of the kingdom of God through the untiring preaching of a word which, it will be said, has no equal elsewhere: “Here is a teaching that is new, and with authority behind it. ‘And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ His words reveal the secret of God, His plan and His promise, and thereby change the heart of man and his destiny.”
The process of evangelization is dynamic and involves various methods and approaches. It can occur in personal interactions, where the simple, authentic witness of a Christian life can inspire others to explore the faith. It also happens in more structured settings, such as through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), where individuals are formally introduced to the tenets of Catholicism and prepared for sacramental initiation into the Church. Evangelization is also deeply connected to catechesis, where the teachings of the Church are systematically presented to educate and form disciples of Christ. The Church teaches, “All Christians are called to this witness, and in this way, they can be real evangelizers.”
If you think about Jonah, he walked away from this call. Yet, God wanted him to do what he asked, so he created the conditions for Jonah to think about his calling and ultimately fulfill that calling. As Jonah said, “He prayed to the LORD, ‘O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first toward Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, repenting of punishment’.” God is merciful and he desires all to come to repentance and know him. Jonah wanted to die, because he did not want to see the conversion of Nineveh. God showed him that he is Lord of all, and he wants all of humanity to come to him, not die and be destroyed. In this way, God was also evangelizing Jonah to know his heart’s desire and be changed in his heart. So, the call is not just to evangelize, but to allow God to evangelize us.
Moreover, evangelization is not limited to words but is powerfully expressed through actions. The Church’s commitment to social justice, charitable works, and the care for the marginalized are concrete expressions of the Gospel message. These actions speak to the transformative power of faith in action and the Church’s mission to be a beacon of hope and a source of compassion in the world. Matthew Kelly in his book, ‘Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living’, shows how the Church lives this out and is relevant for today.
He says, “In the field of secondary education the Church has more than 230 colleges and universities in the U.S., with an enrollment of seven hundred thousand students. And the Catholic and non-Catholic students educated in our schools and colleges go on to occupy many of the highest positions in any field. In terms of health care, the Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system compromising 637 hospitals, which treat one in five patients in the United States every day. Beyond our national and global impact, the local contribution Catholics make in every community, on a daily basis, is nothing short of remarkable. Every city and town have its own stories but allow me just one example to make my point. In Chicago there are hundreds of Catholic organizations that serve the needs of the people of that city. One of those organizations is Catholic Charities. This year the local chapter of Catholic Charities in Chicago will provide 2.2 million free meals to the hungry and the needy in that area. That’s 6,027 meals a day-just one small example of our enormous contribution. Every city has a hundred stories like this one.” How many people had to be called to enter into this work of faith.
In the modern context, evangelization faces new challenges and opportunities. The digital age has opened up new avenues for spreading the Gospel, with social media and other online platforms providing a global reach. However, it also presents the challenge of navigating a culture that is increasingly secular and where the message of Christ may be met with indifference or hostility.
The Internet has challenges and with generative AI, that will grow. Yet, there are opportunities to reach across the world with the message of salvation. Pope Francis in his address on ‘World Peace Day and World Communications Day 2024’ said, “AI-powered systems ‘can help to overcome ignorance and facilitate the exchange of information,’ but he voiced his concern that such a rapid digital revolution can imprison people in “echo chambers” and leave humanity “adrift in a mire of confusion, prey to the interests of the market or of the powers that be.”
The mission of Christ continues, and it is individuals who have experienced Jesus’ love and compassion in their own lives that call them on to tell others where to find this same love, hope and life Christ offers to all who will seek him. Jesus is the real thing and everyone regardless of their station in this life can find him, if they will call out to him.
The USCCB’s document “Go and Make Disciples” outlines a strategic vision for evangelization that includes reaching out to those who have become distant from the faith, as well as engaging with those who have never heard the Gospel message. It calls for a renewed zeal among Catholics to share their faith with others, not only in words but through a lived example of God’s love. The many organizations within the Church continue to reach out using various means, whether going to the streets, feeding others or helping people walk through this life, each witnessing to the life of Christ through their words and actions. God loves you and wants you know him.
In conclusion, Catholic evangelization is a call to all members of the Church to participate in the mission of spreading the Good News. It is a call to personal conversion, to live out the teachings of Jesus in every aspect of life, and to invite others to experience the joy and hope found in the Christian faith. As the Church continues to navigate the complexities of the modern world, the timeless message of the Gospel remains its guiding light and the source of its evangelizing mission.