THE CHELLENGE TO
EVANGELIZATION
(CHALLENGES OF Gospel Proclamation
By BP.Patric Nair Meerut.
All the activities of the church and its Personal
belong to Evangelization
(EN. 22,(EA 19)
There is clarity in defining Evangelization
1.Direct and Indirect
Institutions are agents of
Evang. (INDIRECT)
Whether it IS :
Dilogue
•Education
•Medical Apostolate
•Social work
• Proclamation:
are all belonging to Evangelization. (EA 23)
But Proclamation is always the most important
ministry and can never be substituted.
There can be no true Evangelization without the
explicit proclamation of Jesus as Lord(EA.19. EN 27).
No believer in Christ, or Institutions in the Church can
avoid this supreme duty to proclaim Christ to all
people(RM.31)
Proclamation is the primary duty of the Church(RM 44)
Church is missionary by nature(AG 2) So
evangelization is the basic duty of the People of God.
Every disciple of Christ has the obligation to do his
part in spreading the faith (Ag25)
By the power of Baptism the Laity is entrusted with the
task of Evangelization.And to take part in the three fold
functions of Jesus Christ, Prophet,Priest, and King.
Moreover the laity has manifold areas of
Evangelization unlike priests or sisters..
1. THE MISSION MANDATE (Biblical foundation)
Mt 28/18-20
Mk 16/15-20
Lk 24/47-48 “In his name the message about repentance and
the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations beginning in
Jerusalem. You are witnesses of all these things. I will Send you the
Holy Sprit. Wait in the city until the Power comes from above.
Jn 15/16, I chose you to go and bear fruit.
Jn 17/18 As the Father has sent me, I send you, in a world of
Persecution, and temptations.
Mk: 1:38 : “Let us go to the next country towns so that I can preach
there too, It is for this that I have come”.
He sends his apostles on a Mission and tells them “preach as you
go”(Mt. 10/7)
The Lord worked with them.
I will be with you till the end of time. (after the Pentecost the
disciples went about)
2Cor. 4/5. “For it is not ourselves that we preach, we preach Jesus
Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake,
”
Reason for Proclamation is: Jesus Christ
should be known, loved, followed.
Woe to me , if I don’t preach. (1 cor. 9/16). It is
the right, duty, and obligation of all.
TODAY, there is Negative tendencies in
Evang.Because of difficulties both internal and
external have weakened the missionary task.
Proclamation is the reason of the Church’s
Existence.
11. DIALOGUE:
Dialogue is an essential part of
the Mission. But can not replace
proclamation.
In Evangelization, proclamation is the
Permanent Priority of the Mission and
there can be no true Evangelization
without the Explicit Proclamation (EA
19)
111. SOCIAL WORK
is a very important part of Evan. espeacially for
poor countries like India, Africa etc. Because of
exploitation , Poverty, Social stratification, Injustice,
and underdevelopment (Mt 25/34.)
BUT IT CAN NOT REPLACE PROCLAMATION
WE have to speak about Jesus who is the reason and
basis of this Love. (Mother Therese was the shining
example: the love of Christ compels me…)We have a
total commitment for Jesus. We do it for Jesus. We
have to tell the beneficiaries.
(Eg. Matha Amrutha, Amma’s love. In the Hospital)
1V: BY EVANG. DON’T WE VIOLATE PEOPLE’S
CONSCIENCE AND FREEDOM
No, Because, the Church Proclaims the good news,
with loving respect and Esteem for the Listeners.
Proclamation which respects the rights of conscience
does not violate freedom, for faith demands free
response. Respect does not eliminate the need for
explicit proclamation of the Gospel in its fullness. It is
a respect for man in his quest for answers to the
deepest questions.
“We have a duty to preach, the change of heart is a
gift of God”. If Apostles had not preached (EA 20) ,
and there would have been no Church or Martyrs
either.
V: Is it not possible to attain Salvation in any religion?
Then why proclamation:?
Because Jesus is the only Savior of all mankind.
God wishes all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2/4) J Xt is the only
Savior of all mankind who died for all men (SS).
Jesus founded the Church on Apostles as ONLY Ordinary
means of Salvation. (LG. 14. says, “whosoever therefore
knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by
God through Jesus Christ refuses to enter her or remain in
her could not be saved”.
The Church has always held that those outside the Church
will be saved if they strive to do the will of God as they see
it, which was referred to as the Baptism of Desire.
Infact God’s Salvification has been at work among all peoples
from the beginning of creation. (Gen. 9/1-19) covenant with
Noah.)
God sent Jonah to Nineveh
The Magi guided b y the star (Non Jews)
Though Jesus founded the Church as the Ordinary means of
Salvation he is not limited by it. The Kingdom of God is
more extensive than the Church. (R M 29) Spirit of Christ is
preparing people to receive Jesus in his fullness. The Spirit
who is active in the world is continually preparing people to
receive the same Lord. Christ is an Asian, Christianity
started in Asia. But
Frist Millenium Christianity spread in Europe
Second Millenium “
“
in America
Third
“
“
should spread in ASIA said Pope
JN Paul II.
Frank Sheed says, These days we find J. Christ eclipsed in
our declaration and statement.
VI. There is a paradigm shift
from content to context.
Orthodoxy to orthoparxis.
From Gospel values to
Kingdom values can
undermine Church’s
teaching.
VII. INSTITUTIONALISM:
In the church this can be a challenge.
They can forget the purpose for which they were started.
Often there is money for maintenance and beautification of
bldges. BUT
Little money for Bible. And Medias for proclamation.
Catechesis, and Evangelical Literature.
St. Augustine,” complained in his time, “There are too many
laborers doing other work rather than going into the Harvest”.
(Proclamation)
Harvest is plenty but laborers are not very few.
Jesus was always a challenge for the Pharisees and Jews.
NO COMPROMISE WITH REGARD TO
PROCLAMATION OF JESUS .
Testimony is important and effective.
(EA 23): “A missionary who has no deep experience of God
in prayer and contemplation will have little spiritual
influence or missionary success”.
Fear can tempt us to hesitate.
Yet Attacks and persecution can be a sign of evangelical
activity.” If they have persecuted me they will persecute
you”.(Jn.15/20)
Fear nor I am with you always (acts 18/9)
LK 5/5) “Jesus said to Peter,” Launch out into the deepPeter’s Faith-Obedience, and he became a fisher of Men.
8 REASONS FOR PROCLAMATION:
1. JESUS’ COMMAND IN ALL GOSPELS.
2. IMITATING THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS HIMSELF.
3. EXAMPLE OF APOSTLES.
4. JESUS’ LOVE FOR ALL MEN, HE
DIED,RISEN,GLORIFIED.
5. OUR DUTY IS TO PREACH, DON’T HIDE TRUTH.
THEIR RIGHT TO KNOW THE TRUTH (EA20)
LOVE OF JESUS COMPELS US, TO LOVE OTHERS AND
PROCLAIM.
THE BEST WAY TO STRENGTHEN OUR OWN FAITH IN
JESUS IS TO SPEAK OF HIM. “Faith shared is faith
strengthened”
Where proclamation dwindled, some places,churches
(RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS) have almost
disappeared bec.they stagnated.Rev.3/15. You lost the first
FERVOR.
EVANGELIZATION IN 3 STAGES



Prophetic: Word proclaimed: verbal
announcement of the Good News.
Priestly: Word Celebrated: Liturgy,
memorial of the saving work.
Kingly: Word Lived: Establishment of the
Kingdom of God on earth
KERYGMA & CATECHESIS
Initial Proclamation
To be born again
To have life
KERYGMA & CATECHESIS CON…
 Ongoing
faith – formation
 To
grow in discipleship as a
catholic
 To
have life in abundance