Evangelize

Go...Evangelize Doulos J C Time for the Master's departure; his followers strain their ears amid the blowing breeze on the hilltop, to catch his last parting words before he ascends. His voice solemnly rings out: "Go...preach the good news to all creation.."

It is the last command (not an option) of Lord Jesus Christ. "No believer in Christ can avoid the supreme duty to proclaim CHRIST to all people" (Redemptoris Missium, Pope John Paul II). Let us share the anguish of Christ (cf Mt 9:36f), in reaching out to the impoverished multitudes of India.

Everyone in Jesus is a missionary; everyone outside Jesus is our mission field. "Those who have never known Christ, have a right to know him...No excuse can withhold us from proclaiming Christ to Non-Christians" (Evangelii Nuncianti, No 53,Pope Paul VI). Don't limit yourself only to Catholics. Go to our Hindu and Muslim brethren. A person is either perishing in Satan's claws or saved in God's loving arms. There is no neutral state. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. If we realise that our friends are lost without Christ (For, salvation is found in Jesus alone, Acts 4:12), can we allow them to take the road to perdition?

It is our duty to rescue them from the darkness (of not having heard of the wonderful love of Christ)and bring them into the bright sunshine of his merciful love. "But how can they be saved, unless someone tells them of our wonderful saviour" (Rom 10:14,15)?

It is not only our privilege, but a grave responsibility to proclaim salvation (1 Cor 9:16). Whether they respond or not-and it is our duty to sow the seed-leave the results to God. "Know" him better, to better proclaim him.

The more we experience his love, the more we will become "the mind and heart of Jesus Christ," which ever seeks out his lost prodigal children. So before embarking on the horizontal dimension of evangelisation, (sharing the message of God's saving love), first align well with the vertical dimension, that is, 'know' him more intimately as your personal Saviour and Lord, experiencing a deep relationship with him.

Go down on your knees in prayer . As he fills you with his overwhelming love, you cannot but yearn to share this love with others, just as Mother Mary hastened to share it with St Elizabeth Love, therefore, is the spring- board of evangelisation.

Components of Evangelisation:

1 Witness of life

2 Explicit proclamation
1 Witness of life
The word witness is generic of Greek "Martyrion". "Martyr" is witness carried on to extreme sacrifice.

A Christian life of holiness is a silent but powerful proclamation of the Gospel. It can win souls, even without saying a word (1 Pt 3:1); it involves self-denial, conforming to Christian values; and surviving against the life of corruption, worldliness; carrying of the cross, to daily 'white martyrdom'. It is a life of love and compassion,tirelessly reaching out to the poor, needy and oppressed, in solidarity with their sufferings. Each of us is anointed for this mission(cf Lk4:18) as Jesus gives us his own Spirit when he commissions us. (cf Jn 20:21,22). Pope John Paul II says, "This most appealing evangelical witness of concern for the poor and suffering is an irreplaceable form of mission (R M 2,42;E N 21)

Non-Christians will then remark, "Why are these Christians so loving? Who inspires such love in them?" thereby giving us an opportunity to tell them of the source of this love. As Jesus said, "By this all men will know you as my disciples" (Jn 13:35).

"Go and tell" must be backed by "come and see" what the Lord has done for me.

The early Christians thus won many converts (Acts 3:44). This love should be the driving force of evangelisation (cf 1 Thes 2:8). On the contrary, without love and personal holiness, our message can run the risk of rejection.
2 Explicit proclamation
Witness of life must be followed by unequivocal proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of life. cf('Kerygma' E N 22). Testify what the Lord has done for you and what he can do for everyone who believes in him (cf 1Pt 3:15; Rom 10:13).

You need not present a treatise on theology; rather speak in love (cf1 Thes 2:8) and with God's power(cf1 Cor 2:4,5). Planting even three little words in their hearts: "Jesus loves you", will definitely bear fruit in God's own time, for his word never fails (cf Is 55:11).

Each day, God places in our path, wherever we are, some person needing his love and mercy. Whether Hindu, Muslim, Catholic or Protestant, suffering silently in darkness and misery. Offer them hope. Tell them "that God is not a remote anonymous power, but a loving Father...who cares for us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus to die for us, to save us from every evil. He is the only Way to peace, the Life, the only Truth that will set us free from our sin and misery. Tell them that he gives us his own Spirit empowering us to live victorious lives"(E N 26,27). In fact, this is a paraphrase of Mt 28:19, of the Triune God's mandate.

Sad to say, many Christians shy away from mentioning the name of Jesus. They tend to beat around the bush, pronouncing the vague name of God to non-Christians, lest they be ridiculed. Some even go to the extent of saying "God is one, all religions can save us".

Dear brethren, can you dare be ashamed of the name of Jesus (cf Mt 10:32,33)? Are you shy of portraying the cross on the lapel, the very instrument which saved you?

Almighty God destined from all eternity that the powerful name of Jesus, would save us (cf Lk 1:31; 2:21). There is no name in Heaven by which we can be saved, except the name of Jesus Christ, (cf Acts 4:12). Boldly proclaim this powerful name which causes hell to tremble, the name of Jesus, the one and only Saviour of mankind for eternity. Amen! (cfPhil 2:10,11).

Pope Paul VI said, "Where the name of Jesus is not spoken, there can be no evangelisation in the true sense. It should also include the teaching of Jesus"(cf E N 22).
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Fear not, we are never alone. Jesus is with us every moment (cfMt 28:20). Just as the Father empowered Jesus, so does Jesus "Send us out" with the very same power of the Holy Spirit(cf Jn 20:21-22). Without him we can do nothing. The Holy Spirit is given to us primarily to evangelize (cf Acts 1:8). In fact, evangelisation was inaugurated at Pentecost. Evangelisaiton is not possible without the gentle action of the Holy Spirit (E N 75). He not only empowers us to proclaim, but also prepares souls to be receptive prepares them to receive the word of God.

So, do not back out because of unworthiness (cfJer 1:5-10). God can use even a weak instrument , as he once used a donkey in the Old Testament times. Only be open and willing. Daily ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and direct to you people in need of his saving love. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Do not be anxious about what to say. (cfMk 13:11). He will guide your words. As you awake daily, ask the Holy Spirit to " blow where he wills".

Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of boldness (Acts 4:29-38). Then go out bravely even amidst hardship, ridicule and persecution.

Whenever Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach and heal (cf Mt 10:11), he promised manifestation of his power to confirm the message and make it authoritative and life-changing. Therefore, in those who believe, such manifestation of healing, deliverance and miracles should not come as a surprise. They necessarily follow the preaching of the word(cf Mk 16:17).

Hence, do not bury such charisms and talents such as music, writing, art. Use them boldly, in faith for the Lord's Kingdom (cfMt 25:14-30). Liberally use your resources too, to win souls to Christ. Those who have access to the media can effectively evangelize millions, now that technology has plugged media into the Internet. Media, today, is the modern version of the pulpit, which enables you to evangelize "from the housetops" (cf Mt 10:27). Use other innovative methods of evangelisation like publishing tracts and postcard evangelisaiton. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into wider horizons to reach out to the millions of India.

Yet, all along humbly acknowledge that we are only instruments, lest we pride ourselves on our skills and resources. "Let us decrease, while God be glorified "(cf Jn 3:30).

Grasp every opportunity, never postpone and let go that opportune moment, which may never return. Preach in and out of season (cf2 Tim 4:2). Don't let any soul miss out the eternal banquet (cf Mt 25:1-13) because of self-complacency or laziness.

Do not force your views and arguments on others lest frustration damage your witness.

Rather, gently and patiently, win a soul to Christ and thereby partake of a greater heavenly joy, as a lost sheep returns to the flock.

Employ the 'A-la-Samaritan woman' style (cf Jn 4:7-42). First, tackle the person's need; then tactfully seek out a deeper conversation, ultimately leading to conversion as you delve deeper into the person's innermost need of salvation.

Once you plant the seed, leave the results to God alone.But back it up with lots of prayer and penance, nourished by the Eucharist-a daily source of power. St Theresa won many souls to Christ on her knees in her convent cell. Spend time on your knees. Before reaching out, pray that the Lord may send more labourers to gather in his harvest, as we approach 2000 AD, hastening his kingdom.

"Our Father in Heaven...may thy Kingdom come!"

I conclude with the prayer of the Catholic Bishop's Document on evangelisation,US, Nov 92:"I pray that the fire of Jesus enkindled in us by the Holy Spirit may lead the multitudes in our land, to become his disciples, formed in the image of Christ, Our Saviour. Amen".