Three Core Elements of the New Evangelization
During the Christ Our Life Conference,
we heard Cardinal Wuerl outline what he sees as the three core elements
of the new evangelization. We’ve distilled them here in our own words.
1. Renewal of our own faith. This
has to happen both intellectually and affectively — both in our heads
and hearts. Catechesis is essential; we must know what the Church
teaches and why. But just knowing the teachings won’t bring us into a
relationship with Jesus. We must increase our desire to enter into a
deep, intimate, lasting communion with God made flesh.
2. Stand in the Truth. At the end of the Bread of Life discourse in John 6
when so many of Jesus’ disciples walked away, Jesus asked the Twelve,
“Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered, “Master, to whom
shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Peter
answered for all of us who believe that Jesus is truly present in the
Eucharist. The surest way to encounter Jesus is through His Church, in
the Eucharist. This is the teaching of our Church. We must stand in that
teaching with a fresh confidence to boldly proclaim it, knowing we
stand in the truth.
3. Share this Truth with others.
Just as so many of Jesus’ disciples walked away in the Gospel, a
similar scene continues to play out in present day. Roughly 20-million
Americans who identify themselves as ex-Catholics have effectively
abandoned Jesus, most often unknowingly. It is our mission to bring
Jesus back to them. Very often, they are friends and family who we know
and love deeply. Live the faith at all times because you never know who
might be evangelized simply by your presence.
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I've been watching every Church pronouncement on the Year of Faith, and there is much that is good in them. However, I've yet to see any of these speeches, manifestos, or programs mention that in addition to the millions of ex-Catholics, there are almost 230 million non-Catholics in the United States in need of the Gospel and union with the Body of Christ.
ReplyDeleteI will be the first to say that I have been very poor in my commitment to facing this reality. But a few facts remain: first, the laity will not take up this commission unless the leaders at least mention it, and second, it is not optional for us, not by any honest reading of Scripture.
Hey! Have you ever noticed, has your writting level gone any better recently?
ReplyDelete