Each year, one signal that we are transitioning from summer to fall is the start of the new school year.
Whether we have kids or not, we encounter a flurry of back-to-school messages and activities.
For students, it is a time of new beginnings — new school clothes, new backpacks, new books, and new opportunities for learning and growth.
Just like the school year for our kids, we also renew our commitments to the mission of the Church each year.
It is the time to start faith formation again and get back to meeting in our Bible studies and small groups.
At the heart of all we do in the Church is our mission for evangelization — to Go Make Disciples.
The importance of evangelization
How important is evangelization?
We know evangelization is important to God, for He has told us that He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2: 4).
The mission He entrusted to His followers was to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15).
Why? Because the eternal salvation of souls literally depends on it and simply put, Christ wants us to.
One of the most poisonous heresies of our time is the idea that most people, maybe even everyone, goes to Heaven basically just by being nice, regardless of their beliefs about God.
It’s an idea that absolutely cripples any real efforts at evangelization.
It’s pretty hard to be enthusiastic about proclaiming the Gospel if you don’t really think people need to believe it.
The truth is that not everyone is on the path to truth and Heaven.
Jesus himself said: “The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many; the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Our mission mandate is to invite all to encounter Christ in a life-changing way.
We are created by God with a longing for Truth and communion with Him.
Evangelization is a requirement of love.
Genuine love means willing the good of others, especially their ultimate good, which is eternal life with God.
Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary in order to obtain that good.
It’s very likely that God will send you or me to preach the Gospel, and we have to answer the call.
We must first start with our own journey of discipleship.
Practicing the Four Holy Habits
Foundational to our commitment to living a life of discipleship is practicing Four Holy Habits laid out by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison when he launched the Go Make Disciples initiative: Daily Prayer, Reclaiming Sunday, Participating in the Sacrament of Confession, and Friday Penance.
Here are some things to consider as you recommit to the Four Holy Habits:
- Are you praying 15 minutes a day? Do you take time to pray daily with the Scriptures? What prayers or devotions speak to your heart and life? Do you take time to listen to God when you pray?
- In addition to attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, how do you make Sunday holy? Is it a time for family and holy leisure? Do you visit family and friends and build community with those you love? Have you ever considered a pilgrimage or spiritual activity on Sunday with family and friends?
- Do you have a time and/or place that you go to Confession? Do you take time to do a thorough examination of conscience or a daily examen?
- How often do you participate in a Friday offering of penance or fasting? Do you take a moment to offer your sacrifices as a prayer for others?
Let’s not let this time of recommitment to the mission of evangelization and a life of the Holy Habits pass us by this fall.
Rather, let us answer the universal call to holiness and to Go Make Disciples.
Four years ago, Bishop Hying laid out his vision for the Go Make Disciples initiative.
Take some time to revisit and renew your call to this mission.
For more information, go to madisondiocese.org/gmd