The Joy of the Gospel: Chapter Two

Introduction: We are called to be evangelizers in our world. This has to be done through adhering to the “signs of the times” (51). A scrutiny is necessary into our mutated evangelical questions. To do this, we have to be nourished by the “light and strength of the Holy Spirit” (50). There are fruits of the Kingdom that are in focus with God’s values and there are fruits of the world that are counter to God’s plan to the humanity. An evangelical discernment is necessary.

1.      Evangelization amidst economic inequality: There is an economic imbalance in the world. “An inequality is the reality in our society” (52). “Money has become a God, it has become man’s only value” (55), this can lead to greed and greed can lead into corruption. Money has an “ally called corruption” (56). Why someone becomes or remain poor? It is not noteworthy to “blame the poor for being uneducated" (60).

Question: How can I be an evangelizer in an unequal society? How can I proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom value in a corrupt world? 

2.      Relationship of Convenience: Our society is driven by emotional satisfaction and can be constructed in any way or modified at will (66). Relationship is merely for personal gratification with a naïve and mediocre commitment. This is because of the “breakdown in passing on the Christian Faith” (70) to our children and Church community. It is important to go back to our Sacred Scriptures to draw our source, “for many ills of the present world the Gospel offers very good remedies” (75).

Question: How can I avoid a relationship of convenience? How can I uphold the values from the Scriptures in the foggy world?

3.      A closet God: the present world tends to slide towards a naïve understanding of God and the poor. There is an element of “when I need God, I will take him out of the closet.” “Great importance is attached to personal freedom and relaxation; there is much individualism, a crisis of identity and a cooling of fervour” (78). At times my individualism and personal gratification can take precedence over religious calling, which can lead us into spiritual blindness. Religious calling might drift towards convenience. “When we lose our boldness and zeal we may well turn into credulous and sour pessimists” (85). A mere obligation to our religious calling might end us up in a danger of becoming a cold Christians, “mummification of Christianity, and a disillusioned clinging to nostalgia” (83).

Question: What is my priority in life: is God first and the rest OR visa versa? Is God a “whenever I need please come to my rescue”? 

4.      A self-centred Christian: We live in a highly competitive and an instant world. This on the one hand would help to be successful in our lives and on the other hand might make individualistic person (narcissism). “Advances in communication have created greater possibilities fro encounter and solidarity; but we should be on our guard against narcissism” (87). “There needs to a physical encounter with others” (88). It is significant to look around us for God created each one us in His own image and likeness. We ignore one person; we ignore God’s image and likeness in that person. “we should form a mystical fraternity, touching God, and aware of the grandeur in every weak human beings” (92).

Question: How can care for my fellow human persons whilst I have to fulfil my own dreams? Can a weak person be part of my life?

5.      Business mentality in the Church: The Church is the communion of the people of God; a union of minds and hearts. Every person in the Church has a role to play. The Church cannot be run like a firm, “ostentatious preoccupation with liturgy, dogma and the Church’s prestige, and also in a busy social life, business mentality, management, considering the Church as an institution” (95). “The Church must not turn into a museum piece or something which is the property of a select few” (95). Hence, the decisions in the Church affect both spiritual and physical life of the people of God.

Question: Do treat our decision-making process “as lead by God” OR we make decisions according to our whims and fancies?

6.      Labelling the laity: It is easy for someone to label the laity as “knows nothing”, or “I know better”. This attitude will make the only “pew Christian”. A laity who is confined to the pews and not to take active part in the life of the Church. “Room should be made for lad people in decision making positions” (102). Vast number of Churchgoers is women, “Women should be given many more opportunities, also in decision making positions” (103). Youth ministry must be our priority in the Church for often times, the youth are neglected, “many youths are keen to participate” (106).

Question: Do the laity is raised to the position of decision making the parishes? Do women feel significant in your community? Do the youth become merely a “pew Christian” or feel responsible in the Church?

7.      A priestly lay Church: There is a tendency among the laity to make the clergy “Hero” of the parish community. This tendency might open up an attitude of superiority over the laity by the clergy. “Ministerial priesthood is reserved to males; but priestly power lies in the realm of function, not in the realm of dignity; the ministerial priesthood does not imply an exaltation which would set the priest above others; he has no superiority vis-à-vis the others” (104). Priest has sacramental powers not any other powers; “a power to administer the Sacrament of the Eucharist: (104). Hence, a priest must help enrich and enhance the lives of the faithful not prove himself as “someone who is more qualified and talented”.

Question: Do you see your pastors as a “person of love”; love for the Eucharist and its people? Do you consider your priests as your equals OR you make them “Heroes” and elevate them above you?