“‘Star of Evangelization’”

By

Robert John Colon

1. “Star of Evangelization” – this is a name of Mary, who offered herself, her body as well as spirit, to God (1), and who was taken up body as well as spirit into Heaven (2). Yet, precisely since she is with God as well as in God, she is very near to every one of us (3). With this document for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, 2007, I would like to communicate information about evangelization. While one refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, one may say evangelization is the announcement of Christ by word plus the witness of life (4). Let us turn to Mary, Star of Evangelization, who announces to us, that is, who shows us, her Son.

2. Mary was assumed body as well as spirit into Heaven. Love has revealed that it is mightier than death and that God’s strength is goodness plus love (5). Love does not applaud death (6). The French philosopher Gabriel Marcel articulated that to say to someone “I love you” meant: I decline to accept your death; I frown against death (7). God loves man, and He has not abandoned man to the power of death (8). Yet, how many people do not know how much God loves them?  There is the task, trusted by Christ to His Church, of evangelizing God's love for humans — for every individual man and woman — plus their love for God as well as among themselves (9). To paraphrase the words of Pope John Paul II, let me communicate this statement: because of Baptism the Church's own task is trusted to us (10). As a result, let us announce God's love for each man and woman.

3. To be sure, evangelizing God's love for humans can exist together with fraternal correction. We might prefer avoidance of correction, avoidance of speaking the truth when the truth is difficult, in order to avoid making someone uncomfortable. I surely appreciate the desire to avoid making people uncomfortable and I surely appreciate the desire to avoid being uncomfortable. And, to be sure, the First Letter to the Corinthians tells us that charity is patient as well as kind and that charity is not rude. Nevertheless, the same Letter tells us that charity jubilates with the truth (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:4, 6). Pope Benedict XVI said none of us notices himself or his weak points clearly. Pope Benedict XVI said: it is as a result an action of love to help one another notice each other better and correct one another (11). But how should we express this in conversation? Pope John Paul II said: gentleness and sternness are expressions of the same charity which can be soft or challenging according to need (12). But in any case let us opt for deep humility when speaking the truth (13). Moreover, always may people know how much God loves them. After all John Paul II tells us: in order to love properly people must be sure that God loves them (14). I would like to bring up another point about correction and speaking the truth. There is a Greek word (παραкλεîσθε) spoken of by Pope Benedict XVI. This word, you might say, indicates not only correcting but also comforting, sharing the other's pains, helping him in his difficulties (15).  When evangelizing we might encounter people who really feel somewhat forlorn. At that moment, these people need comfort (16). I am not saying I am a perfect evangelist who always speaks ideally and who knows what is ideal to say in every instance of speaking the truth about the one true religion, salvation, abortion, contraception, sins against chastity, suffering, addiction, and other topics. Let you and me pray and work with the goal of our voices resembling more and more Christ's voice.

4. Pope John Paul II tells us: while not everyone is called to the lifetime missionary vocation ad gentes, everyone must pray for and cultivate a missionary spirit (17). Pope John Paul II emphasized the family unit and the parish community (18). He tells us the household is the privileged spot for mission evangelization (19). Let us ask the Star of Evangelization to help individuals, families and parish communities to stay always faithful to their calling, as we pray: Loving Mother, “Queen assumed into heaven” (Litany of Loreto), help your people, be with the Church on her pilgrimage to our celestial home. Amen! (20)

August 5, 2007

NOTES

(1) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 10 December 2006.

(2) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 15 August 2005.

(3) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 15 August 2005.

(4) Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 905, whose first note or footnote points to Lumen Gentium, 35 # 1, # 2.

(5) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 15 August 2005.

(6) Cf. Joseph Ratzinger, God and the World, A Conversation with Peter Seewald.

(7) Cf. Joseph Ratzinger, God and the World, A Conversation with Peter Seewald.

(8) Cf. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 78.

(9) Cf. John Paul II, Message for World Mission Day 1991.

(10) Cf. John Paul II, Message for World Mission Day 1991, number 1.

(11) Cf. Benedict XVI, Speech, 3 October 2005.

(12) Cf. John Paul II, Angelus, 2 March 1997, number 1.

(13) Cf. Benedict XVI, Speech, 3 October 2005.

(14) Cf. John Paul II, Letter to Children, December 13, 1994.

(15) Cf. Benedict XVI, Speech, 3 October 2005.

(16) Cf. Benedict XVI, Speech, 3 October 2005.

(17) Cf. John Paul II, Message for World Mission Day 1992, number 3.

(18) Cf. John Paul II, Message for World Mission Day 1992, number 3. Cf. John Paul II, Message for World Mission Day 1991, number 1.

(19) Cf. John Paul II, Message for World Mission Day 1992, number 3.

(20) Cf. John Paul II, General Audience, 5 January 2005, number 3.