“Every person has a right to the Good News, and we should leave no stone unturned to announce it to them.”
~Cardinal Thiandoum of Senegal
The Year of Faith - Opening New Doors
A person upon reading the newspaper from cover to cover might conclude that the world is a mess! We are bombarded daily with bad news, crimes, violence, wars, prejudice, natural disasters, tragedies, and political sparring. Yes, the world needs the Good News that Jesus Christ preached more than ever!
But the message of evangelization remains the same: “Repent and believe in the Good News!” The audience is different, the world is different, the cultures are different, the times are different. But we must proclaim the same Jesus to all peoples in a new way with greater zeal, ardor, and clarity using modern means of communication.
Vatican Council II mentions the Gospel 157 times. Blessed Pope John Paul II (1983) issued new calls for a “New Evangelization”, a new “Springtime of Christianity”. “Despite the voices of the prophets of pessimism, I would like to repeat once again with emphasis… God is preparing a great Christian springtime, the beginning of which can already be glimpsed.”
Pope Benedict XVI invites us to walk through the perpetually ‘open door of faith’ as a new way of “finding direction for life’s journey.” (Acts 14:27) The pope, in his Apostolic Letter, “Porta Fidei” (Oct. 11, 2011) announced the Year of Faith to begin October 11, 2012, and end November 24, 2013. As part of this special year, he calls all Catholics to renew their faith. In this Year of Faith we will celebrate 3 occasions:
1. The beginning of the Year of Faith marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (Oct 11, 1962). What better way than to revisit the text of the documents themselves? Especially “Lumen Gentium” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) and “Dei Verbum” (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation).
2. The 20th anniversary of the publication: The Catholic Catechism (Oct 11, 1992) - Let us open up the school of the wisdom to the Church’s indispensable tool in order to synthesize our Catholic doctrine. The Catholic Catechism has 4 pillars: “The Profession of Faith” (centering on the Creed), “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” (focusing on the sacraments), “Life in Christ” (emphasizing the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments), “Christian Prayer” (focusing especially on prayer traditions and the “Lord’s Prayer”).
3. The Synod of the New Evangelization which will take place in October of 2012 - (So that Christians may radiate the word of truth because of the love of Christ which will cause them to evangelize. Our faith grows as we experience the love we receive and we communicate it as an experience of grace, thanksgiving, and joy.)
Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that, “During this time we will need to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus Christ, the Pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” ~Heb 12:2
What one adjective would describe the status of your faith in its present state: alive, enthusiastic, engaged, life-changing, mature… or wrecked, scandalized, amateur, fractured, stagnant, deteriorating, irrelevant, stale and dormant? It’s safe to say we all need a renewal of faith. What better time than the Year of Faith?
With my 25th anniversary on the horizon it makes me ponder on this mysterious gift. As a priest I am called to ignite the hearts and souls of God’s people placed in my care. I am renewed and empowered by not simply taking more time off or attending more continuing education classes, seminars, or convocations, but looking more deeply into myself to discover the true identity by entering into the heart of Christ - the Christ who prays to the Father, who admits his vulnerability and who is empowered by the Spirit to bring forth the Kingdom of God. As a servant leader, we must embark on that journey and teach others by example that the Kingdom of God is in our midst. The stakes are high: eternity in heaven or hell!
There are 204 parishes presently in the diocese that make up the vast Church of Pittsburgh. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of the mosaic. Our congregations vary in size, history, finances, age, resources, nationalities, and leadership. No two parishes are alike. There is no ‘cookie cutter’ or ‘carbon copy’ approach to evangelization. But our God is not looking for perfect parishes or parishioners. There are none! God is looking for willing parishes and parishioners to be available to His grace to proclaim His Good News to others!
The older and busier I get, the more I value the necessity of developing my faith and making time for prayer. Evangelization is the privilege and the duty of each of us. Throw away your watch! Stop counting sheep! The Good News must be a real response to a real people, and their concerns, aspirations, and needs, whether physical (food, clothing, housing), psychological (wanting to be loved, accepted, supported, welcomed), spiritual (hope, mercy, forgiveness, understanding), or social (a place to belong or gather).
Evangelization takes the participation of every Christian. It means invitation, inspiration, and perspiration! It’s hard work! Even when things do not go well: disappointments, difficulties, challenges, rejection, and even persecutions do not sever the relationship with Jesus Christ. Through perseverance and persistency, like Jesus, we will be victorious.
Catholic evangelization is not a one time or ‘once and for all’ experience but a continual process of conversion with the Lamb of God who washes away our sins, who gives us a new heart, mind and new abundant life. Evangelization is living and sharing this great gift of faith with energy and enthusiasm. It means to accept Jesus Christ and share Him with others; His life, His love, His truth, His goodness, His values, His compassion, and His integrity.
In a growing society of secular values, there are many signs of spiritual hunger in the hearts of people. Our faith is a special gift. As I age, I see the wonder of this faith that is far more valuable than any material possession and one that will out last any human relationship. May the Holy Spirit empower us with divine energy and supernatural ability to get up and go!
“Go and make disciples of all nations! Matt 28:19
