SAMUEL THOMAS KAMARA
Today, 31st October 2019, the Extraordinary Missionary Month of October has come to an end. But has the call to mission and evangelization come to an end? Or, now that the Extraordinary month ended should we stop evangelizing the world? Can we say that we have succeeded in evangelizing the world?
Of course the missionary mandate given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:19 is an ongoing mission; thus it is not to be stopped or limited to a single month. I believe Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Missionary Month (October 2019) with the aim of “Fostering an increased awareness of the missio ad gentes and taking up again with renewed fervor the missionary transformation of the Church’s life and pastoral activity.” Therefore, the Extraordinary month has ended but the Church’s Mission to Evangelize lives on.
This month of Extraordinary missionary activities has (to some extent) been a success. It has so far been “fruitful occasion of grace”, and has promoted some initiatives. I trust that (if not all), some Christians now have known their role as evangelizers by virtue of their baptism. Nevertheless, there are still some areas we need to intensify to boost our missionary mandate.
One may ask: what must I do to evangelize? In his Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi, St. Pope Paul VI states that “Evangelization means bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new.” (Evangelii Nuntiandi 18). If so, how then can I evangelize?
Well, the essential content of evangelization must first be witness in a simple and direct way, to the God reveal by Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. That is, if we want to evangelize we must proclaim the gospel and to proclaim the gospel is only by witnessing of life which is the “initial element” in the work of evangelization. (E.N. 21). Hence, Pope Paul VI insists: “Modern man listens more willingly to witness than to teachers, and if does listen to teachers, it is because they are witness”. (E.N. 41).
Another way of intensifying our evangelizing mission, is by providing adequate catechesis and Bible initiation. Experience shows that there are situations of religious ignorance among Christians. Adequate catechesis should therefore be attended to as one of the ways to arm the Catholic community against such infections. Such initiation in the faith should give special importance to the Bible. Catholics should be so schooled in their faith that they always have an answer ready for people who ask them the reason for the hope that they have (cf. 1 Pt. 3:15).
Among others, house to house evangelization is a very strong aspect of mission; and this bring about a huge number of people to the Church. It is a way in which the members feel part and parcel of the church. This area has been very weak in the Catholic Church today. If used, it will be a very good tool of evangelization.
Finally, Organization of bible study by priests is a vital way of effectively communicate the word of God to the faithful. Most of our parishioners are not well educated on the bible. If the priests include bible study as part of the parish’s activities just as they do for adoration, confession, etc. it would be a great deal. This study would include bible reading with relevant biblical memory verses as assignment for each member.
Today, 31st October 2019, the Extraordinary Missionary Month of October has come to an end. But has the call to mission and evangelization come to an end? Or, now that the Extraordinary month ended should we stop evangelizing the world? Can we say that we have succeeded in evangelizing the world?
Of course the missionary mandate given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:19 is an ongoing mission; thus it is not to be stopped or limited to a single month. I believe Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Missionary Month (October 2019) with the aim of “Fostering an increased awareness of the missio ad gentes and taking up again with renewed fervor the missionary transformation of the Church’s life and pastoral activity.” Therefore, the Extraordinary month has ended but the Church’s Mission to Evangelize lives on.
This month of Extraordinary missionary activities has (to some extent) been a success. It has so far been “fruitful occasion of grace”, and has promoted some initiatives. I trust that (if not all), some Christians now have known their role as evangelizers by virtue of their baptism. Nevertheless, there are still some areas we need to intensify to boost our missionary mandate.
One may ask: what must I do to evangelize? In his Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi, St. Pope Paul VI states that “Evangelization means bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new.” (Evangelii Nuntiandi 18). If so, how then can I evangelize?
Well, the essential content of evangelization must first be witness in a simple and direct way, to the God reveal by Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. That is, if we want to evangelize we must proclaim the gospel and to proclaim the gospel is only by witnessing of life which is the “initial element” in the work of evangelization. (E.N. 21). Hence, Pope Paul VI insists: “Modern man listens more willingly to witness than to teachers, and if does listen to teachers, it is because they are witness”. (E.N. 41).
Another way of intensifying our evangelizing mission, is by providing adequate catechesis and Bible initiation. Experience shows that there are situations of religious ignorance among Christians. Adequate catechesis should therefore be attended to as one of the ways to arm the Catholic community against such infections. Such initiation in the faith should give special importance to the Bible. Catholics should be so schooled in their faith that they always have an answer ready for people who ask them the reason for the hope that they have (cf. 1 Pt. 3:15).
Among others, house to house evangelization is a very strong aspect of mission; and this bring about a huge number of people to the Church. It is a way in which the members feel part and parcel of the church. This area has been very weak in the Catholic Church today. If used, it will be a very good tool of evangelization.
Finally, Organization of bible study by priests is a vital way of effectively communicate the word of God to the faithful. Most of our parishioners are not well educated on the bible. If the priests include bible study as part of the parish’s activities just as they do for adoration, confession, etc. it would be a great deal. This study would include bible reading with relevant biblical memory verses as assignment for each member.