This is Part Four of a Five-Part Series on evangelization by Archbishop John Myers. To read Part I, click here, for Part II, click here and for Part III, click here.
Thus, the Encyclical Redemptoris missio calls the Church once again to the task of announcing the Gospel as the fullness of truth: "In this definitive Word of his revelation, God has made himself known in the fullest possible way. He has revealed to mankind who he is. This definitive self-revelation of God is the fundamental reason why the Church is missionary by her very nature. She cannot do other than proclaim the Gospel, that is, the full know about himself" (Redemptoris missio, 5). Only the revelation missio, 5). Only the revelation of Jesus Christ, therefore, "introduces into our history a universal and ultimate truth which stirs the human mind to ceaseless effort" (Fides et ratio, 14). (Dominus Iesus, 4, 5)
In an atmosphere that regards every opinion as a "truth," evangelization is never easy. But we must be careful not to fall into the trap of blaming the prevalent culture for our lack of success. While we are obligated to point out the dangers of individualism, secularism, hedonism, relativism, and other negative forces, we cannot overlook the deep religious hunger that stirs the hearts of our fellow men and women.
Secularization ironically has produced a religious emptiness in many parts of our society, an emptiness that yearns to be filled. The idea that everyone has his or her own "truth" does not satisfy basic human needs. Dissatisfied with such relativism, many realize the foolishness of asserting that contradictory views are equally "true." Many, especially the young, seek answers to the mystery of life. This gives us Christians the opportunity to show them that Christ is the answer to humanity's questions, that He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Acts 14:15-17; 17:22-31). Our culture provides obstacles, but it also provides opportunities. There is much that is good in our culture not the least of which is our dedication to religious liberty.
In the midst of all the discussion about our secularizing society, it is good to remember that our nation has always been a religious nation. While few of our founding fathers were Catholics, they were genuinely religious men. "For [Jefferson] and the other founding fathers, the good of society requires a people who believe in one almighty God, in providence in a divinely given moral code, in a future life, and in divinely administered rewards and punishments" (Avery Cardinal Dulles, "The Deist Minimum" in First Things, January 2005, Number 149, 30). Most Americans share these basic beliefs today, even if it often seems unpopular to articulate them. Perhaps our role as Catholic Christians is to give a clear consistent voice to these gospel values.
As a local church we must attempt to share the good news with everyone. Of particular immediate concern are our families, those who have not received all the Sacraments of Initiation, those who have fallen away, and our own prayer, sacrifice and personal sanctification.
Our families
Parents must ensure that their children receive education in the faith so that, nourished by prayer and authentic teaching, they will be transformed into true disciples. As stated above, parents are the first teachers of their children. Where necessary, they must be assisted in learning or relearning the teachings and traditions of the Catholic faith so that they can pass them on to their children.
Family members also are in a unique position to reach out to relatives whose faith has weakened or who have strayed from the Christian life to offer them the support they need once again to encounter the Risen Christ through the ministry of the Church.
The family needs support in this endeavor. The parish is the indispensable source of support for the family and the most important resource for evangelization. The entire range of parish education, schools, religious education, and adult education, can be an enormously effective agent of evangelization. Pastors have a significant role in assisting the teachers and catechists under their care in the transformation of their lives and attitudes, in recognizing their responsibility to engage in the work of spreading the Gospel of Christ. Our parishes must be examples of cooperation and solidarity as they share the many gifts that each possesses for the greater good of the whole. This solidarity extends to cooperation among parishes in evangelization efforts. Solidarity and discipleship together drive evangelization.
The parishioners of the Archdiocese of Newark come from every corner of the globe. Each person should be welcomed and made to feel a part of the life of every parish. When we seek to understand and respect the religious customs and traditions of new immigrants we reaffirm their human dignity, affirm them in their faith, and welcome them into our communion. Our unity does not mean that we are all the same. Our unity is a reflection of the life of the Trinity, three Persons in one God, each separate and distinct, each having a different self-gift, and yet so unified that they form the one Godhead. So, too, it must be with us.
I counsel all evangelizers to respect the manifold forms of authentic popular piety that newcomers bring. "(W)hen hearts are united, the result is a great force for good. To be rooted in what is ancient, strong, profound, and, at the same time, dear to the heart, gives an extraordinary interior energy" (Pope John Paul II, Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way, p. 180). Our great task, while always open to the future, is to cultivate sound traditions with an affectionate respect for the past.
