In the previous article on Pope Francis’s Wednesday audiences on ‘‘The Passion for Evangelization,’’ we saw how the Holy Spirit is the protagonist of proclamation and examined the role of the Holy Spirit at the Council of Jerusalem.
Today, we turn toward the Second Vatican Council’s decree on missionary activity and exploring the concept of the Apostolic Zeal of the Believer.
In the audience delivered on March 8, 2023, the Holy Father wants us to consider the ecclesial aspect of evangelization and the teachings that came from the Second Vatican Council.
We do not go alone
The Second Vatican Council presents the Church as the pilgrim People of God through time, and missionary by her very nature (cf. Ad Gentes, 2).
Evangelizing is an ‘‘ecclesial’’ service, but what does this mean?
In ecclesia means “in a community”; evangelization is never solitary or individualistic, but occurs in community and without proselytism.
Despite this, there is great temptation to go alone, “especially when the path becomes arduous and we feel the burden of commitment.
“Equally dangerous is the temptation to follow easier pseudo-ecclesial paths, to adopt the worldly logic of numbers and pools, to rely on the strengths of our ideas,” said Pope Francis.
Nevertheless, he affirmed that, “The ecclesial dynamism of the transmission of the Message is binding and guarantees the authenticity of Christian proclamation.”
The Church must pass down the Gospel in its integrity through the generations, and the evangelizer must transmit what was received.
St. Paul warned in Galatians that if any should preach a Gospel contrary to what was taught, ‘‘let him be accursed’’ (Gal 1:8-12).
Apostolic zeal
Pope Francis states, “The ecclesial dimension of evangelization constitutes, however, a criterion for confirmation of apostolic zeal”.
What exactly is ‘‘apostolic zeal’’?
The Pope explains that it is not enthusiasm, but it is a grace from God.
Apostolic zeal is what protects the message from distortion.
According to Evangelii Gaudium, all who are Baptized are agents of evangelization and all are called to imitate the self-sacrificing love of Christ.
Evangelizing and bearing witness are integral parts of being a Christian.
Ad Gentes Chapter 1 Paragraph 6 begins by stating “This duty . . . is one and the same everywhere and in every condition, even though it may be carried out differently according to circumstances”.
How we serve the mission of the Church in our daily lives will look different based on our situation and gifts, but it should be present nonetheless.
A wellspring of love
The council’s decree on missionary activity, Ad Gentes, references the passage from 1 Corinthians 15:28.
Drawing from this verse, that God may be ‘‘all in all’,’ the decree states “The “fount-like love” or charity of God the Father who, being the “principle without principle” from whom the Son is begotten and Holy Spirit proceeds through the Son, freely creating us on account of His surpassing and merciful kindness” (Ad Gentes, 2).
Pope Francis emphasized that this passage is fundamental for several reasons.
First, it invites us to consider the love of God the Father as a wellspring.
This love is destined for every human being.
It is a love that is perfect, eternal, and accessible to every man and every woman, regardless of the parts of our lives that may make us feel unworthy or unlovable.
No one is excluded.
Second, Pope Francis said the Holy Spirit works in everyone, whether they are Baptized or non-Baptized.
He is alive and at work in the world.
Finally, the love of God reaches everyone through the mission of Jesus.
It is the role of the Church and by extension, the task given to each of us to carry on the mission of Christ, to be in service to others, and to bear convincing witness to the entire human family.
Just as God the Father loves everyone, and the Holy Spirit works in everyone, we are called to see Christ in everyone.
Mother Teresa said, “I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus.”
Ultimately, all missionary activity is rooted in the love of God.
When we return to the love of the Father, we are led by the Son and the Holy Spirit to “recognize the gratuitousness of the gift of the fullness of life,” stated Pope Francis.
May we accept this gift and freely give it to others.