The Church today is hearing a fresh call from the Holy Spirit regarding evangelization. This has become so clear through the recent ministries of the Popes. Paul VI called evangelization the Church’s deepest identity. Conversion Is what she is about. When Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan, it was all about his identity as Messiah and Son of God. The temptation was about being a Messiah other than the one purposed by God the Father. The Church Today is being called back to her identity-to evangelize. So what is evangelization? Paul VI said that there is no evangelization without the name, teaching, ministry and life of Jesus, his passion, death and resurrection being proclaimed. So, while many activities can be good, such as passing out fliers of an upcoming mission, or knocking on doors to invite people to a parish event, these are not evangelism unless there is the sharing of the person of Jesus with people. We share him with others so we can invite them into a friendship with him. St. Paul in Romans 5 states that it is by one man-Adam that sin came into the world. Yet, by obedience and grace through Jesus came life into the world. In evangelism, we announce this truth and invite people into friendship with the Lord. Evangelism is about conversion. John Paul II defined conversion as accepting the saving sovereignty of Jesus in our life. It is to accept him as Lord and Savior. This is a personal choice on our part as a response to the good news of Jesus.
