Four years ago, the bishops of the United States produced a document about evangelization entitled Go and Make Disciples. The document begins by defining the word evangelization as “bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.”
The bishops go on to list three goals for Catholic evangelization in this country. The first objective underscores where evangelization begins: “To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.”
We are being reminded that all evangelization begins with oneself. Only then can it be carried out for the benefit of others. Of special note are the words, “enthusiasm for their faith.” This begs the question: Am I truly enthused about my faith? Enthusiasm necessitates action—committed action. If I am enthused about my faith, I cannot keep it to myself; I will be driven to share it with others.
We find ourselves at the threshold of Holy Week. We are about to engage in the most beautiful and most meaningful liturgies of the entire liturgical year. On Monday of Holy Week there will take place in the Cathedral the Mass of Chrism. During this impressive ceremony, Bishop Bruskewitz will bless the three holy oils that will be used in our parishes during the coming year. In addition, all the priests of our diocese will recommit themselves to their priestly service.
During the Mass on Holy Thursday evening, the priest, in imitation of Jesus at the Last Supper, washes the feet of twelve men in the parish. The liturgy that evening will revisit the scene at the Last Supper when Jesus gave Himself to His apostles in the Holy Eucharist and then ordained them as His first priests, sharing with them the power to do what He had done.
On Good Friday the Church commemorates Jesus’ suffering and death. The Passion will be read or sung and the cross will be venerated by all as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Mount Calvary. An aura of silence descends on the Church between this somber service and the joyous celebration of the Easter Vigil on Saturday.
If one can speak of liturgies being “spectacular,” the Easter Vigil certainly qualifies. From the tiniest parish to the largest, this is a night to remember. From the Easter fire, to the Easter Proclamation, to the special readings, to the baptism and reception into the Church of the catechumens and candidates, to the renewal of our baptismal promises, the liturgy experiences what could be termed a “liturgical explosion.” If there were ever a fitting moment for enthusiasm for the faith on the part of those present, this is certainly it.
That being the case, the liturgies of Holy Week are meant to be shared. Sad to say, there are numerous Catholics who have never witnessed a single one of these glorious celebrations of faith. This is the time to become an evangelizer. Don’t miss a single one of these events! And be the evangelizer our Lord calls us to be; don’t come alone.
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