Evangelization in time of pandemic

First in a series

By John and Therese Boucher | Special to The CFP

God’s invitation to share our faith with others may begin with a growing concern about our adult children or nieces and nephews who don’t go to church. Concern about the sparse attendance at parish Sunday Masses might haunt us, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. News of more parish and school closings may alarm us. Or instead, we may be inspired by Catholics who knelt outside Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit to pray for coronavirus patients and their health care professionals.
Our experiences and observations are just a few of the ways Jesus might be calling us to find new ways to share the faith that we love during these uncertain times. But how do we take steps to do that when it seems foreign or overwhelming? How do we embrace what the Church has called the “New Evangelization” and become what Pope Francis has called “a missionary disciple?”
What is “missionary evangelization?” The word, “evangelization,” can make us feel uncomfortable and apprehensive. As Christians, we may know that we are called to share the good news of Christ. But it is easy to think that this is a calling for others – only for priests, missionaries, religious, those in lay ministry. After all, they know more than we do about the faith, and they have the proper training. Where would we even begin?
It is not as difficult as we might think. This article begins a series of articles that will outline four simple steps that anyone can do to share their faith today: praying, caring, sharing faith in conversations, and daring to invite others into a faith-filled personal relationship, family, small group, and our parish community. We hope this time-tested wisdom will help spark a greater desire to share your faith and encourage you to become confident in your ability to do so.
Here’s one definition of “evangelize” that might help: “To evangelize does not mean simply to teach a doctrine, but to proclaim Jesus Christ by one’s words and actions, that is, to make oneself an instrument of his presence and action in the world” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Aspects of Evangelization, 2). The United States Catholic bishops developed another one, “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. Its essence is the proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and the response of a person in faith, both being the work of the Holy Spirit.” (Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States, 10)
The ongoing pain, suffering, loss, and isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic are causing many people, believers and unbelievers, to cry out for help from others and from God. Join other Catholics who are stepping up to help and to share their faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ as well. Let’s not make excuses for failing to reach out to others in our everyday lives. Pope Francis encourages us:
“The joy of the Gospel is such that it cannot be taken away from us by anyone or anything (cf. Jn 16:22). The evils of our world – and those of the Church – must not be excuses for diminishing our commitment and our fervor. Let us look upon them as challenges that can help us to grow. With the eyes of faith, we can see the light which the Holy Spirit always radiates in the midst of darkness, never forgetting that ‘where sin increased, grace has abounded all the more.’” (Rom 5:20). (The Joy of the Gospel, 84)

– This article was taken from the June 2020 issue of The Word Among Us magazine, wau.org. Used with permission. The book “Sharing the Faith That You Love,” by John and Therese Boucher, from which these articles were adapted, is available at www.bookstore.wau.org.


PHOTO: CNS photo | Jim West
A health care worker in Detroit cares for a homeless man in early May at the Pope Francis Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.