The Director's Desk
September 1999
Why Are We Afraid to Evangelize?
One
of the "buzz words" in Catholic catechetical circles today is
"evangelization". Everywhere I go, we are talking about it. It
is the topic of conferences and workshops, of parish council meetings. It
is one of the cornerstones of the Archdiocesan Renewing the Vision process,
and the centerpiece of Rome's General Directory for Catechesis. Many
books have been published and committees formed to address the issue of
evangelization: how to do it, when to do it, and where. Despite all of
this we seem stymied at how to move the agenda of evangelization forward.
During one of many recent conversations about the topic, I was suddenly struck with the following thought: The difficulty with evangelization is not that we are lacking knowledge of how to do it or what to do; it is simply that Roman Catholics are reluctant or afraid to evangelize. We are much more comfortable talking about it than doing it.
Ever since the publication of Paul VI's 1975 Apostolic Exhortation Evangeli Nuntiandi we have been talking about the mission to proclaim the Good News as Catholics. I have found myself among those searching for a "magic bullet", a program or approach to make evangelization happen in my parish. My little "epiphany" during that conversation forced me to admit that I, too, am reluctant to evangelize, and that in my own way I am contributing to the Church's lack of action in this area.
Of course, I am not saying that Catholics do not evangelize at all. Many parishes and schools have tremendous relationships with the communities in which they are located, have an open door to all who come near, and share the Good News through their programs and activities. At the same time, many of us fall short in actively proclaiming and living this Good News, whether that be within our religious communities or the marketplace. I wonder: is this because we are uncertain about the message?
I ask myself: Why am I afraid or reluctant to share the story of Jesus with others? If I wholeheartedly believed the Creed that I profess every Sunday, wouldn't I be eager to share with others the faith that has so deeply enriched and changed my life? Am I reluctant to accept the message that "Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again"? Do I wholeheartedly believe that God loves me unconditionally? Do I believe God would do something so profound, so wild and outrageous as to become one with human frailty and infirmity, and to raise us up through the unbelievable Resurrection of the Son?
The Roman Catholic Church's struggle to evangelize calls us beyond a community of habit and obligation to be a church that joyously shares the incredible gift of grace that we have received. It is a call to living faith. May our response to that call always be: "We believe, Lord! Help our lack of faith!"
Chris Weber
Director
Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland.
Be on the lookout
for a Fall Newsletter, coming
soon from the Division of Religious Education. This newsletter will have a new, topical format.
The topic for Fall
1999: Evangelization. Don't miss it!
August 1999
Prepare
Ye the Way...for Catechetical Sunday
Catching and Keeping Your Volunteers
July 4
Part 1: No More "Warm Bodies"
Using Discernment in the Selection of Catechists and Youth Ministry Volunteers
July 11:
Part 2: Top Ten Tips for Volunteer
Recruitment
Sample Catechist Job Description (Word 97)
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