We are all called to be evangelists

December 14, 2003 -- Third Sunday of Advent

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What do you understand by evangelization? 2. From whom have you heard the good news of God's reign? 3. What are the challenges to evangelization in our times?

Evangelization is one of those words that escapes easy definition. Evangelization is the proclamation of the good news of God's reign. More, it is the transformation of every strata of humanity from within. Still more, to evangelize means to help people understand who God is and what they are to do with their lives.

The prophet Zephaniah, the apostle Paul, and John the Baptist were all evangelists. They had a message to tell, a message so powerful that, if embraced, would change both individuals and society. Many people did not want to hear the message and tried to silence the prophets; others did not want to change and so they ridiculed and persecuted the messengers sent by God.

Zephaniah's message to Israel was the good news that God had removed his judgment against the people and thwarted their enemies. The good news was that God was in their midst as mighty savior. There can be only one response: rejoicing, singing, exultation. Zephaniah makes it clear to the people that God is renewing them in his love.

This message is not limited to the past. The prophet is also speaking to us in the 21st century. Today, God is in our midst and is renewing us in his love. Today, God withholds his judgment and extents to us his mercy and love. What joy should fill our being; what gladness should fill our souls.

Paul was an evangelist par excellence. His message is also one about the nearness of God. This God of peace will stand guard over our hearts and minds. This God has come to us in Jesus and thus we can dismiss all anxiety from our minds. And our response? To rejoice, be grateful and live unselfish lives.

Paul's great desire was that people might come to know who Jesus is. In Christ we find the full revelation of God; in Christ and the gift of the Spirit we are given the power to live out God's plan of salvation. We know from other parts of the New Testament how much St. Paul suffered for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, we hear Paul urging the people to rejoice always. Paul lived out faith truly believing that God's will would win out.

The last words of today's Gospel: ". . . he preached the good news to the people." The "he" refers to John the Baptist, the immediate forerunner of Jesus, the one who was preparing the way. John speaks of two baptisms, one in water and the other a baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire. There was to be no doubt who the true Messiah was.

People came to John with one of those fundamental questions in life: "What are we to do?" Is there a decisive answer to this question? The ultimate response is one of giving. It is by sharing what God has given us and being loving and just in our relationships that puts us on the road to God's kingdom. When the Spirit of the Lord is upon us, we not only bring the good news to the poor but we are also with them in solidarity and charity.

Through baptism and especially through the sacrament of Confirmation all of us are called to be evangelists, bearers of the good news and agents of God's love, justice, and mercy in a precarious world. This vocation is irrevocable. During this season of Advent we not only anticipate the great feast of our Lord's Nativity but we recommit ourselves to the Church's essential mission - evangelization.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.)