Evangelization

The proclamation of Christ and his Gospel by word and the testimony of life, in fulfillment of Christ’s command (Catechism of the Catholic Church 905; cf. 861).

Baptism is quite a powerful event in the life of a Catholic Christian. There are quite a few elements to Baptism and how specifically they can help shape and form the Baptized.First, we are freed from original sin through water and the Trinitarian formula, we become an adopted son or daughter of God our Father, and we take up the universal call to holiness- to be set apart. The white garment worn, symbolizes that the newly baptized has “put on Christ” and the Chrism we are anointed with, conveys the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives.Christ Jesus was anointed priest, prophet, and king and through our Baptism, we are joined to Christ’s mystical body where we share in these three offices.As priests, we strive to bring the light of Jesus Christ into a dark world by sharing the Good News. As prophets, we are a witness to the truth we find in Jesus through our words and deeds, and ensuring the virtue of justice. As kings, we are called to lead others to the path of holiness, defend the weak, and give hope. Lastly, through Baptism, we are “incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.” (CCC 1213)

The question then that is posed to us, if we are to share in the Church’s mission, how do we practically accomplish such a daunting task as evangelization? The answer comes in following Jesus’ example: Invitation, Friendship, Brotherhood, & Shared Mission.

Invitation

Everything we do in our Christian walk is a response to God’s invitation. Sometimes, when God invites us to encounter Him, He is direct as he was in the Gospel of Matthew: “As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him” (Mt 4:18–22). Often times, God uses one of His faithful followers to bring someone to an encounter with Jesus as he does in the Gospel of John. The day after John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus, he is walking with two of his followers, Andrew and John the Evangelist.Both men, like John the Baptist were seeking the Messiah, but Andrew and John the Evangelist, had not yet seen Jesus. When the three come upon Jesus, John the Baptist proclaims, “Behold the lamb of God”(John 1:36b). This testimony from John the Baptist prompts Andrew and the other John to follow Jesus who upon seeing the two asks: ““What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see ”(Jn 1:38–39). Jesus’s invitation to “come and see” is how we as Baptized Christians, invite others to encounter Christ. After staying with Jesus, Andrew goes to his brother Simon and invites him to come meet Jesus. As you and I live out our Baptism, we evangelize by inviting others, sharing with them testimony in word and life to “come and see” Jesus the Christ.

Friendship

St. Augustine spoke on friendship saying, “of everything that exists in the world, only true friendship can lead a person to God.” Since an invitation is the first step towards an encounter with Christ, the second that follows is a friendship. A friendship at its root, is comprised of spending time together. In our everyday lives, our friends are the ones we share meals, adventures, and the ups and downs in our lived experiences of life. But it all comes down to the time and effort we put into each friendship.Friendships that grow, flourish and last, are the ones we spend the most time nourishing. When we make an effort to get to know Jesus, we “share in the joy [and suffering] of being God’s friends” (St Josemarîa Escrivâ). So what does it mean to be a friend of God? It demands that we give of our time to dwell with Him. This of course, is why having a daily prayer life is essential to the life of a Catholic Christian. Without time set aside in prayer, we are not feeding the relationship we share with our God. Our friendship with God leads us to place ourselves at the service of all men. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” (Jn 15:13–14). God’s command is to“…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind… And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37–39). The foundation of a friendship is often build upon a mutual shared commonality. In friendships that last, this commonality is the pursuit of truth. As a Catholic, the truth we pursue is Jesus Christ. Therefore, to truly love our friend, demands that at all costs we assist them to respond to God’s call to a relationship with Him. We are called to use the gifts God has given us to help others discover and come to know Christ Jesus.

Brotherhood

David wrote in Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” David had a unique friendship with King Saul’s son Jonathan.They were loyal to one another and even sacrificed for the good of the other, as when Jonathan gave David his clothes and tried to reconcile David and Saul. But David seems to be singing the praise of the people of Israel when he proclaims “how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” For the Israelites, what bonded them together and formed such a brotherhood were their shared experiences and values. Friendships rooted in Christ, therefore, have these shared experiences and values that go beyond mere friendship into something created for a specific purpose. This purpose is to seek out one sole desire, to get to heaven and return to complete union with God. “See how sweet and delightful it is to live in the company of brothers. Indeed, it is sweet and a delight to live among a company united as brothers, because this unity is a fruit of the [body of Christ]; they are called brothers because charity binds them together with one sole desire” (St. Hilary of Poitiers)

Shared Mission

Out of such brotherhoods, created by shared experiences, values, and striving after our eternal beatitude, we are commissioned to share in the Church’s mission. Jesus established the Church to carry on His mission of preaching repentance and seeking the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said to the eleven, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). We participate in this shared mission through our Baptism, and are strengthened for the mission by our Confirmation and participation in the Eucharist, which is food for the journey. The first Apostles took up the mission Christ imparted, thus building the Church you and I are graced to be apart of today. In Acts, we see Peter giving testimony and calling people to repent and be Baptized. Those who had ears to hear, were welcomed into the Body of Christ through Baptism. Following their entrance into the Church, Acts says “and they held steadfastly to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42). You and I are thus commissioned to to hold steadfastly to the apostles teaching, share in our brotherhood, participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass and spend time in prayer and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those we meet in our daily lives.

Our path then is clear, we must continue the work of the Apostles; through inviting others to “seek Him,” cultivating friendships that “seek Him,” developing a brotherhood whose sole desire is to “seek Him,” and sharing in Christ’s mission to call all men to repentance and Baptism so that they may “seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:6a).