Today’s readings speak to us about evangelization. I’ve always appreciated the keen observation of Cardinal Basil Hume: “Too many people have been ‘sacramentalized’ but not evangelized.’” On this side of the Atlantic, Cardinal Wuerl of Washington warned that we live in “an individualistic, secular society that lives as if God did not exist.” Bishop O’Connell, pointing out this reality, cites the sad statistic that within our own diocese, not unlike others, only 17% of Catholics attend Mass regularly. This is one reason he has decreed a “Year of Youth” encouraging every parish to engage the young so that they might appreciate the truth and beauty of our Catholic faith.
But evangelization is not a challenge to be dropped into the lap of clergy and religious only. It is a challenge and indeed the duty of all the baptized! Today I would like to propose three “ingredients” needed for evangelization:
The first is PERSONAL CONVICTION. We must be convinced that our Catholic Faith is a precious gift without which we cannot live fully. Do we believe that our life would be impoverished without our faith? We should be troubled by the idea so prevalent today that it doesn’t really matter what people believe as long as they are good and as long as they believe ‘in something.’ This would be the error of indifferentism—a topic for another time!
If we believe that Christ is really and truly present, body, blood, soul and divinity in the Holy Eucharist, we could never say to someone, “Sunday Mass is fine, once or twice a month is fine!” My aunt once made this observation about two religious: “Sr. Maria is a better nun than Sr. Carolina.” “Zia, how can say that?” I said. She replied, “Sr. Maria runs to Mass. Sr. Carolina goes piano, piano! (slowly, slowly)” What is the level of our desire to participate at Mass?
If we are convinced of the graces and the new life that come from Confession, we could never say, “I haven’t been to confession in five, ten, twenty years or even since my first Communion or Confirmation—but I’m comfortable with that.” A convinced Catholic realizes that the Faith provides the truth that leads to hope and happiness in this life and salvation in the next.
The second ingredient is JOY. Pope Francis says that “We cannot proclaim Christ with funeral faces.” Joy attracts. Isaiah tells us that the ungodly would taunt the Israelites saying, “Let us see your joy!” We should meet apathy with the joy that comes from our prayer, the Mass, the sacraments and our union with Christ.
Evangelization’s third ingredient is COURAGE. We need it because Our Lord tells us to expect rejection. No one likes to be rejected or criticized but we must be strong when we meet those who turn away.
We must also have the courage to be different. The popular notion is that that way to build up the Church is blend into world as much as possible. Listen to Archbishop Chaput’s response to that approach: “The temptation exists even in the Church to compromise…and to reduce the beauty of Christian truths…to a set of attractive ideals—which then leads by little steps to surrendering her redemptive mission. What the world needs from believers is a witness of love and truth, not approval.”
When the Church blends into the world, it doesn’t help the world. When we look the same, hold the same opinion as anyone else, who needs us? When we are as unfocused as anyone else, or become an echo of the prevailing culture, what difference can we make in the lives of others? God’s refrain in Scripture is “Be not afraid!”
Today Lord summons us to evangelize. As Pope Francis said, “The Lord is knocking at the door of our hearts. Have we put a sign on the door that says, ‘Do not disturb?’” We must be disturbed…we will lose the faith if we do not share it…with conviction, joy and courage!