Those Who Know Christ Must Proclaim Him

The last two posts addressing the Lineamenta for the upcoming Synod on the New Evangelization introduced us to the purpose behind the Synod, what the New Evangelization is exactly, and what the Church is up against in this secular culture. The Lineamenta concludes on a very positive note, with some direction on where to begin discerning and concrete questions for Bishops and local Churches about what works and what doesn’t.

Changes in society today have led to “an extensive process of reflection and rethinking” on how to consistently approach the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) as formational experiences and community celebrations. There is an “educational emergency” which needs to be addressed as well, because transmitting “to new generations the basic values for living and right conduct is becoming more arduous”—especially the idea that every human life holds a unique dignity.

There is also a need to look at the local church and the family. How do these sacred units contribute to the formation of future generations and their older members? The spiritual nature of the New Evangelization shouldn’t be forgotten either—for people “are able to evangelize only when they have been evangelized and allow themselves to be evangelized, that is, renewed spiritually through a personal encounter and lived communion with Jesus Christ.”

And finally, one of the most important questions is: how do we make the “initial proclamation” to others? The Church and her communities are asked to discern how to present the Christian faith in the “Courtyard of the Gentiles” today. How can we live as witnesses in a culture that refuses to listen for the Truth?

 Blessed John Paul II said that the New Evangelization means:

…to rekindle in ourselves the impetus of the Church's beginnings and allow ourselves to be filled with the ardor of the apostolic preaching which followed Pentecost. We must revive in ourselves the burning conviction of Paul, who cried out: 'Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel' (1 Cor 9:16). This passion will not fail to stir in the Church a new sense of mission, which cannot be left to a group of 'specialists' but must involve the responsibility of all the members of the People of God. Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep him for themselves, they must proclaim him. A new apostolic outreach is needed, which will be lived as the everyday commitment of Christian communities and groups.

And discernment is the first step in finding that new apostolic outreach, that new way of preaching the same Gospel in a different world. This is why this upcoming Synod is so exciting and so necessary! Our leaders will come together as one to discuss which directions to take in this New Evangelization, and ultimately decide how we as a Church can be open to the Spirit and transmit His Joy to the world.

Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, Pray for Us!