Evangelization, What Does it Mean?
Evangelization. It’s a hard word to pronounce for some people and it can be a word a lot of Catholics are not comfortable using because they don’t know what it means.
What does it mean?
Instead of going into some Theological explanation, I will explain it in very simple terms. As taken from the USCCB (United States Conference Catholic Bishops); the simplest way to say what evangelization means is to follow Pope Paul VI, whose message Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World), we can rephrase his words to say that evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.” In other words, sharing the stories you know about Jesus with people who do not know Him.
I am writing this for everyone to read but I am focusing on grabbing my Catholic brother’s and sister’s attention. Yes, I’m talking to you who may know the basics about our faith but are still afraid to share what you know with other people. I noticed that other Faiths are very good at sharing the word of God and are unafraid of doing so. Maybe it’s just me who thinks this way but I don’t see many Catholics sharing their faith. I feel like we fall short, myself included. You don’t have to be a Theologian to share what you know.
Don’t be afraid to share what you know about Jesus
What is Evangelization…remember it’s bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation. Don’t worry about being afraid of sharing the little that you know. Let me give you an example of what I am trying to say. One day as I was cleaning my home, my eight-year-old daughter came to me and began to tell me what happened when she was with her friends that day. She began to tell me that her friend found a picture of Mary in her mom’s purse and began to laugh at it. She was saying “look at this lady with the thing on her head.” My daughter and another friend were shocked because she was making fun of Mary. So, they began to “share what they know with her” they were evangelizing. They told her that the woman in the picture was Mary the mother of Jesus. These are eight-year-old little girls sharing what they know with a friend who doesn’t know Jesus. They were unafraid to tell her they knew who Jesus was. Do you see how simple that was for an eight-year-old? You can share what you know about Jesus with other people, don’t be afraid. Share what you know and God will take care of the rest.
What was that word again? Evangelization.
Gloria Chapa-Solano Wife of 14 years, mom to an 8-year-old. Always praying to the Holy Family for help and guidance on how to be a better wife and mother. From Gloria, “Although I fail almost every day I am blessed with the Lord’s grace to wake up every day and try again.”
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
The Forget-Me-Not of Faithfulness in Your Service
The Violet of Humility and Modesty
Patient acceptance of unpleasant things
