The New Evangelization
Reichley and Deitz - Released 06/9/17
So I, a Catholic-Christian, move forward as a missionary disciple, feeling a little naked, do so with my fellow evangelizers, using a cartoon, DOUG 3:16, as a medium. If the Holy Spirit be our guide, DOUG 3:16 will joyfully bring the Gospel message to the ends of the Earth, including my dinner table.
Be part of the New Evangelization! Pray, be active, and “Click the “like” button”.
The phrase “The New Evangelization” appears often over the past four decades in Catholic writings and media. For many who have used the term, it is still difficult to define. As Greg Willitz (Greg and Jennifer Willitz may be considered quintessential members of the new evangelization), stated, “Defining new evangelization is like herding squirrels“.
For my discussion, The New Evangelization can be thought of as “new” in three ways;
1) “New” as utilizing the new media to spread the Gospel.
2) “New” as spreading the Gospel not only to the ends of the Earth, but to the many places where it was established and has been eroded or de-Christianized.
3) “New” as in being carried out largely by the laity.
These three ways as being new are evidenced by the further reading and links below. But the spirit of the New Evangelization can be summed up by Pope Francis as he wrote in his Exhortation, EVANGELII GAUDIUM*:
The Church which “goes forth” is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast. Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father’s infinite mercy. Let us try a little harder to take the first step and to become involved. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The Lord gets involved and he involves his own, as he kneels to wash their feet. He tells his disciples: “You will be blessed if you do this” (Jn 13:17).
*Latin for the title of the letter ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL IN TODAY’S WORLD