Synod for the New Evangelization
This last October I participated in the Synod for New Evangelization. During this time, participants gave interventions or short speeches to everyone who was involved in the Synod, including the Holy Father. Here are my remarks at the Synod: I find it helpful to understand the New Evangelization as a means to fulfilling the central theme of Vatican II, the universal call to holiness. The Catholic laity must accept their co-responsibility to evangelize. In my work with university students we have used a simple three-step process to form disciples: Win, Build, Send. Win: We who have encountered Jesus must go out and love people, because Christ first loved us. In the midst of our friendships with them, we introduce them to our greatest friend, Jesus. Build: Once they have encountered Jesus, we build them up in the knowledge and practice of the faith. There is a crisis of faith and many Catholics have not embraced the teachings of the Church; they do not know that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, or about the inerrancy of Sacred Scripture. They have not accepted the difficult teachings, such as Humanae Vitae. Without the fullness of Catholic faith, authentic renewal is impossible. We must be transformed. Send: As these young disciples grow in their practice of the faith, they are sent out, with our continued care, to begin the process anew. Holiness will take a lifetime, but the work of evangelization can begin shortly after an authentic encounter with Jesus; think of the Samaritan woman at the well. Here are some of the benefits of discipleship:
Jesus told us: “It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit and be my disciples” (John 15:8). ---------- Click here to read more reflections from Curtis from the Synod.
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