You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses, what is the salted? It is good for nothing more than to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. You can not hide a city on top of a mountain . Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Mt 5, 13-16)
This fragment we have heard is part of Chapter V of the Gospel of Matthew, and is then of the Beatitudes, which we describe an image, we present a profile of high human perfection.
I meditated yesterday about how salt is used in everyday life to flavor food. Salt adds flavor, and also brings vigor, strength, consistency. Humanity needs and expects a force and a taste for living. This contribution is the mission of the disciples of Jesus and may carry out if they live the style of the Beatitudes: meekness, poverty, mercy, purity of heart ...
Today we reflect on light. In the material world the sun is light. Without this light does not distinguish the color, or perceives the beauty of things. The Holy Father reminds us in his message that when the light fades or vanishes altogether, and not make a distinction reality that surrounds us. In the heart of the night we can feel fear and insecurity, we impatiently await the arrival of the light of dawn.
This image of the light is very present in the Holy Scripture. According to the prophet Isaiah, in the light of Israel and all nations will be the Messiah. In the Gospel of John (8:14), Jesus says of himself that is the light of the world I am the light of the world whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life . Later, he says of the disciples: You are the light of the world.
This is a profound mystery that St. Paul also stated in his second letter to the Corinthians (4.6): God's light shines in the face of Christ and her radiating to the heart of the apostles and the apostles to the world. As Christ is the light of the Father, the Apostles are the light of Christ.
You are the light of the world. This expression has a profound significance and a huge commitment. Ye " light" of the world. Jesus says we are not a "light", a light more among many possible, but we are "light." According to the experts tell us in language, when you put the definite article before the predicate of a noun phrase, means that the subject exhausts the significance of the same capacity.
However, the student can only be light in the living together as Christ-light, to the extent that it receives light. To live such a deep personal bond, to move in that experience ineffable, ie you can not explain with words, to be understood - not understanding, increasingly the life of God in us is an indispensable condition experience a personal encounter with Christ.
The personal encounter with Christ , the Holy Father reminds us in his message for the Day:
- bathes life a new light,
- leads us on track
- commits us to be witnesses
This new way that He gives us to see the world and people, us to penetrate deeper into the mystery of faith, which is not only accepted with the understanding a set of theoretical statements, but an experience, to live a truth to be salt and light of all reality.
Christian life, the life of union with Christ-light, is a call to holiness. As salt gives flavor and light illuminates, and the sanctity gives meaning to life, making it a reflection of the glory of God. Church history is full of saints who have lived to the end of union with Christ and light projection. Today, here, now resounds to us the message of Jesus who calls us, which gives us the holiness Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. Christ calls young people today to be the saints of the third millennium.
But what is holiness, how to achieve? Perhaps, ultimately, is not restricted to a small elite club? No. Rotunda and forcefully, no. Holiness is not a vague and far an unattainable utopia nor reserved for a privileged few. Holiness is the full development of our personality as children of God, of our reality as children of God. is the culmination of dynamism to the perfection that is imprinted on us in Baptism. It is a universal call for everyone. It is a gift of the Father, you want to allow all his children. For our part will require a free response joyful, and also a strong collaboration and generous to God's plan.
The Holy Father calls us to engage the whole Christian existence since our choice. is the time for mission . The sense of the existence of light is illuminated. A light that illuminates not make sense. A light does not shine is no longer light. Young people should be sentinels of the morning to announce the arrival of the sun that is Christ risen, the arrival of the risen Christ, light and life of all mankind.
I. your light so Shine before men
After defining the disciples light of the world, the Lord makes a call: Let your light shine before of men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. When good works, love, forgiveness, peace building ... be transparency of a life in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hearts and eyes earnest of our contemporaries recognize that God is with us and in us.
is the time for mission . Baptism has produced in us a new life that leads to holiness and mission. The Church is essentially missionary. Every Christian is called to holiness and mission. Christ, we not only loves , to give their lives to save ; not only saves us, giving his life on the cross invites us to collaborating with its mission, employees of his work of salvation, and links us in the history of salvation, which is the history of God's love for humanity and each one in particular. me not you who chose me, but I have chosen you, and I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will (Jn 15:16)
is the time of the mission. Deeper into the mission we receive from the Lord.
1. Of Christ evangelizing evangelizing Church
evoked a joyous and grateful memories of World Youth Day in Rome two years ago , coinciding with the 2000 anniversary of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ in his eternal pre-existence is personally God's word from the Father, begotten of the Father as identity of nature. So the Son of God, his Word made flesh, reveals the Father. The Johannine logos is an event and a person, a distinct divine person of the Father really. The Logos is the Word made flesh, is the theophany of God, perfect copy of the Father, eternal word of it that is revealed.
The word Christ means the summit of the prophetic word: he is a prophet and more than a prophet. No prophet is identified with the very word of God, but Christ, as he was the same word is alive, made human presence.
Christ's mission is to proclaim the Good News of salvation and give men eternal life through the knowledge of the Father, to this knowledge comes through faith in the person and the word the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Single original mission. say that the Church is missionary. Strictly speaking there is only one mission: that of Christ. He is the first missionary, the apostle of the Father. Now, he, after his death and resurrection completed the mysteries of our salvation, before the ascension into heaven, he established his church and sent the apostles to the world, as He had been sent by the Father (cf. AG 5). As the Father has sent me, so I send you (Jn 20.21). Go to the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Mt. 28, 19-20). From these words the Church is missionary because it has the mission of Christ, confirmed by the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. why we can say that the Church is missionary by nature because it takes its origin from the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit's mission, according to the purpose of God the Father (cf. AG 2)
Easter and Pentecost are the beginning of the mission of the Church. The Church fulfills its mission through three major apostolic functions, which are those of Christ himself referred to the church for him, his priesthood, kingship and prophethood. The preaching of the word, the celebration of the mysteries and community service, to reveal to the Church men as a sacrament of salvation.
Del Christ evangelizing evangelizing Church (cf. ON. Cap. 1)
Christ was the first and greatest evangelist. Your ad will be focused primarily on the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and liberating salvation through the preaching tirelessly of a new word, covered authority, and some signs of salvation.
who welcome the good news that also form a community to be evangelized is both evangelical. who have received the good news and are collected in the community of salvation can and must communicate and disseminate it. The task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church, a task and mission which the vast and profound changes in today's society becoming more urgent. Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists to evangelize, that is, to preach and teach, be a channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, to perpetuate the sacrifice of Christ in the Mass, the memorial of his death and glorious resurrection (EN 14). With Paul we keep repeating: For if I preach the gospel, not for my sake of glory, but as a necessity imposed on me. Alas, if you do not preach the gospel! (I Cor 9.16)
2. What is to evangelize
(cf. ON. N. 6-36)
The
We will build upon this apostolic exhortation to the definition of evangelization and define its contents. The first chapter of Jesus, first evangelist, who announces the kingdom of God, the core and center salvation is a liberation. He does this evangelization through a tireless preaching and a few signs of salvation. Evangelization is the Church's vocation. This chapter, therefore, part of Christ evangelist and empties into evangelical church, which has a logical relationship and that the Church is inseparable from Christ.
In the second chapter, after pointing out some important elements in the pastoral work of the Church and the proclamation of Christ to those who do not know him, preaching, catechesis, administration of sacraments elements that we tend to identify with evangelization, gives a descriptive definition of it: for the Church, evangelising means bringing the Good News to all areas of humanity and, through its influence transforming from within, making it new humanity: "I am making all things new." But the truth is that no new humanity if there are new men first, with the novelty of baptism and living the Gospel. The purpose of evangelization is therefore the change inside, and if one were to summarize in a word, it would be best to say that the Church evangelization when, for no divine power of the message she proclaims, trying to turn while personal and collective conscience of men, the activity in which they are committed, their lives and concrete milieu (EN 18).
The proclamation of this good news, has a first witness. An exemplary personal and communal life, to call attention and raise questions that lead to those who contemplate it. Next to the testimony, it is necessary a clear and explicit through the word of life. There is no true evangelization complete until the announcement of the mystery of Jesus Christ, God and man, his person, his kingdom, his doctrine.
This announcement does not acquire its full size until it is taken and membership of the heart occurs. A change of heart that allows adherence to the Kingdom and the entrance to join a community, the Church, which is part of the sacraments.
who has been evangelized becomes evangelization. It is unthinkable that someone who has accepted the word and has given generously to the Kingdom, not to become an evangelist who testifies to what he thinks and lives.
regards the content of evangelization, distinguishes between essential and secondary elements. First, evangelization is to bear witness of God revealed by Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. This God is Father. The central message is the proclamation that in Jesus Christ offers salvation to all men the gift of grace and mercy of God. A salvation that is done in communion with God in this life that begins and ends in eternity. Evangelism has also announced the hope in the afterlife, the love of God, love God and neighbor, good and evil, prayer, the Church and the sacraments.
A message that affects the entire personal and community life, family and social, international. A message of liberation. A message that requires a conversion of heart in real people, to build a more just and human structures.
Evangelization, therefore, is to bring good news to all environments, transform, transforming humanity to man. Its purpose is the conversion of man and mankind. Transform and the power of the gospel - could be called - situation of man criteria values, points of interest, lines of thought, inspiration, role models, ultimately, man's culture.
3. Why mission, why evangelize
(cf. AG 7; RM 1-11)
In the social context we live in today, which are fashion as the values \u200b\u200bof tolerance, coexistence, respect ... to the point of almost exaggerated, and taking into account the other hand certain theological approaches, there are calls into question the validity of the mission among non-Christians in the XXI century and replaced by postulating two lines of work and action: on the one hand, interreligious dialogue, and secondly, by promoting human development in its multiple aspects (cf. RM 4 .) Needless to stress the importance of both inter-religious dialogue and the promotion of human development, cherished and empowered by the Church, but not replaced the mission.
What are the reasons for the mission?
a) The reason for missionary activity is the will of God . God wants all men to be saved and come to know the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all (I Tim 2:4-6). It is necessary that all men are converted to Christ and by baptism are incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ (cf. AG 7).
Man, therefore, can not enter into full communion with God except through Christ, by the action of the Holy Spirit. This unique and universal mediation is not an obstacle on the path to God and that is the way established by God Himself. Of mediation are not excluded, that acquire meaning and value through the mediation of Christ and should not be understood as parallel or complementary (cf. Rom 5)
b) The reason for missionary activity is the fulfillment of Christ's explicit mandate. As the Father has sent me, so I send (Jn 20.21). Go to the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Mt 28, 19-20).
c) The reason for missionary activity is the right and duty of the Church to evangelize. Although God, in ways that knows only can lead to faith to men who are ignorant through no fault of the Church, however, rests with it the duty of evangelize: For if I preach the gospel, not reason is for my glory, but as a necessity imposed on me. Alas, if you do not preach the gospel! (I Cor 9.16) . is a need and a right sacred. Retains all its force and necessity.
d) The reason missionary activity is to love God and neighbor. Missionary activity is a consequence of that love. Church members are encouraged to continue this activity for charity with who love God and the yearning to participate, with all men, of spiritual goods, both in this life and the coming . In this new life as children of God have been destined and called all men.
e) The reason for missionary activity is the complete glorification of God. A missionary activity which God must be fully honored by the faith of men, united in one body, one people (cf. AG 7)
f) The reason for missionary activity lies in the dynamism of the new life in Christ. is a consequence of the new life in Christ and his unstoppable force. Christ won for us salvation, a new life full of meaning and love that can not be save selfishly, but has to communicate with the joy of one who has found a treasure. Peter and John respond to the council to ban teaching makes them the name of Jesus We can not but speak of what we have seen and heard (Act 4, 20). San Pablo, meanwhile, say For if I preach the gospel, not for my sake of glory, but as a necessity imposed on me. Alas, if you do not preach the gospel! (I Cor 9.16). Prisons, beatings, prohibitions, shipwrecks, penalties ... nothing could stop the unstoppable force of faith, hope and love in those witnesses.
not think that it has been two thousand years, the task is done. Rather, we are at the beginning, and much work remains to be done. The Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio , enacted
We can not hide the light of Christ in us. Because he sends us, because the world needs, because in that mission strengthens our faith. Therein lies an internal finality in missionary, mission renews the Church, revitalizes faith and Christian identity, and offers fresh enthusiasm and new incentive. Faith is strengthened by giving it! (RM 2).
Evangelization is the first service that the Church can render to every individual and humanity in the present moment, which has experienced major technical and scientific achievements, but has lost the meaning of life and ultimate realities. Only from Christ can understand themselves and find the meaning of life (cf. RM 2).
4. How to evangelize in today's world: witness and proclamation explicit (word)
The Gospel St. Mark ends with the missionary, the Lord's Ascension, and the beginning of the activity of the Apostles: They went forth and the gospel everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirming the word with signs that accompanied (Mk 16, 20)
Therefore, in evangelization can be distinguished as two dimensions: the word and action, the proclamation by word and personal testimony Community also.
Advertise the gospel is not a task that can be made either way. Not to utter a statement or convey ideas in a cold or recount events which do not affect one's life or compromise. Proclaiming the Gospel is to proclaim the salvation of God, strikes and penetrates in a way that ends up transforming the personal history and the history of mankind.
communication is not about content at the nice man or a good event that makes a certain joy in the listener. To proclaim the God's salvation in Christ by the Spirit, proclaim the kingdom of God, something so revolutionary, that makes all things new. When he proclaimed the Good News of experiences in his life, his word has a particular style of strength, joy, security, sincerity, hope, ... His word fire involved all prophetic word. His word is in the service of the Word, and transparency of the Word. In summary, in short, a convinced and convincing word.
The 'testimony ' is a biblical concept or category related to the kerygma. Jesus tells the apostles to preach and witness (cf. Acts 10:42). The apostles in the book of Acts as witnesses to the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostle is called by Jesus, witness of his life and the paschal mystery and sent to bear witness.
In the most recent Pastoral Theology, speaking of evidence, not the content of the concept limited only to witness in word but also refers to the witness. Paul VI will highlight the paramount importance of the testimony of life in Evangelii Nuntiandi even claiming that the Gospel must be proclaimed, first, through the testimony (n. 21). The witness of life is a responsibility of every baptized as a member of the Church and of the whole Church as a community of baptized.
This means that Christian consistency in small and big events that shape a lifetime, it bears witness to Christ the Saviour. Because we know the Christian faith of the person, or because they just know when it responds to the questions posed by their actions. Thus, we see that the testimonies in word and life cover, made explicit and complete each other. Both have to be given to simplicity, naturalness and coherence. Confirms the witness of life and gives a tone of authenticity and credibility to the testimony of his word. The word testimony sheds light, strength and firmness to the witness.
How to carry out these two dimensions?
First, with the announcement direct, explicit, of the Good News.
- by all means within our reach: kerygma, catechesis, sermon, theology, liturgy, media, literature, games, party ...
- in all areas or modern Areopagus.
- a courageous and confident. not be afraid.
Secondly with personal and community witness.
- the testimony of the believing community, individual and community. See how they love.
- the audacity of the believer and his endurance in the test
- the option for the poor, love signs and release
- consistency and authenticity of life. Living in the truth.
II. To see your good works.
What we do?
Christ calls us to holiness and mission. Us his light to make our lives transparency of his love and truth to shine before men and that they see our good works and give glory to God. Sends us to give abundant and lasting fruit. But we are often puzzled because of the difficulty or do not know how to proceed the new challenges that arise, or we fear a future that neither know nor can control. Sometimes we are impressed by the greatness of the gift of God, the commitment of your call, our own fragility ... Like those disciples at Pentecost heard the preaching of Peter (Acts 2, 37) we wonder and ask, "What shall we do? "
This question reflects the Holy Father in his Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Inneunte with which we gave as he closed the Great Jubilee of the 2000 anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ . Invites us to meet with Christ and the contemplation of her face.
After we contemplation to action, to the development of a certain program. But it is not inventing something new, because the program already exists. It is the plan found in the Gospel and the living Tradition. It focuses on Christ himself, to be known, loved and imitated, to live in the life of the Trinity, and with him transform history until its fulfillment in the heavenly Jerusalem.
The Holy Father reminds us of some items Our basic program witnesses sent in the beginning of the new millennium:
Living union with Christ, which feeds primarily on Eucharist source and summit of ecclesial life, source of growth communion with God and our brothers. Union with Christ is repaired and increases with the sacrament of reconciliation , we receive the Father's loving embrace forgiving, always hopes, that helps us overcome the obstacles of life of faith. Union with Christ through prayer , personal encounter with him, aware of the loving personal presence and active God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in us. Union with Christ in the light of listening to the Word of God that illuminates , which questions, which transforms.
program is this life we're living in this World Youth Day. This is the program of life we \u200b\u200bhave to project throughout the year in our local churches.
This union with Christ is life changing, being renewed attitude, it changes your heart. From this union with Christ we hear the Master's call to holiness , to perfection. As call and a gift. It is not installed in perpetual mediocrity of the "good" and not to block the baptismal dynamism that leads to the fullness of our reality as children of God.
But worth a try? Is not it an ideal too high and difficult? If it depended on us is not that difficult, is that it is humanly impossible. But do not fear. The Holy Father reminds us that a key tenet of the Christian vision of life is primacy of grace that helps us overcome the temptation to think that the results depend on our ability. The experience of the apostles in the episode of the miraculous catch is having worked all night and have not caught anything. That is the moment of faith, prayer, dialogue with God, to open our hearts to the grace of God and feel the full force of the word of Christ calls us and offers us a life of perfection, holiness . (Cf. 38)
Union with Christ, the call to holiness and mission, to be translated into a profound experience of ecclesial communion, a communion essential for credible evangelizing action. Jesus asks the Father, that all may be one like him and Father are one so that the world may believe (cf. Ju 17, 21). The big challenge we have in the new millennium is starting to make the Church the home and school of communion. Spirituality of communion indicates above all the heart's contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, whose light must also be recognized in the face of the brothers who are with us.
III. Testimonials "be light"
The light is not imposed, simply illuminates and raises questions.
Understanding different people's experiences on how to be light in a neighborhood, in the work of a bank and a Secondary School.
I. Conclusion
Our Lord Jesus Christ:
- chose us, loves us, calls us by name
- We call the
- sends us to bear fruit, fruit that lasts
- is with us all days until World's End
- Here and now we repeat: Duc in altum!
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