Recently, we are hearing more about the “new evangelization.” Today’s first reading is all about the evangelization efforts of Philip [not the apostle, but the “man full of faith and Holy Spirit” who the community of disciples selects as one of the first deacons (Acts 6:5)]. Philip “preaches the Good News” (8:4), proclaims Christ (8:5) and preaches and does good deeds (8:6).
Whenever we proclaim the presence and power of the Risen Lord Jesus we are doing what each of us is called to be doing. Every baptized Christian and member of the Church of Christ is called to evangelize in deeds and words.
In my own living, I find evangelization most compelling when I see and experience the results of a real relationship with Jesus and His Church: that is, when I see and experience firsthand forgiving love, committed faith, deep hope and radiant joy. When I meet people who really know the Risen Lord Jesus and I always find myself wanting to be with them and getting to know those around them – their community of disciples, their Church.
The “new” in evangelization refers to our contemporary challenge to live the faith right where we are. We do not have to travel to foreign lands like my cousin who continues to serve as a Marynoll missionary in mainland China to be about the work of evangelization. Rather, Jesus’ call for members of His Church to be passionately engaged in the new evangelization summons us to live the faith in ways that helps those around us see and experience the real difference our faith makes in our own daily living. The new evangelization draws special emphasis for our weekly praise and worship of God – what we as Catholic Christians most commonly refer to as “Mass” – to go with us so that we will help to Christianize the world around us throughout the week – in our homes, our neighborhoods, our relationships, our places of work.
