Catholics need true, saving faith
From John Lee, Johannesburg
I applaud the editorial in The Southern Cross of February 26 asking whether we are evangelising and doing so in imitation of Christ. Unfortunately, the word evangelise is still seen by many Catholics as somewhat “Protestant”. In the past, “mission” was seen as conveying to non-Catholics the glories of the one, true Church founded by Jesus Christ. Today we will admit that this was pure triumphalism and ecclesiocentrism.
Graced good works must appear in the life of a believer, but as fruits of grace; the result of faith in Jesus Christ, proving that our faith is genuine (see James 2:17).
With the number of practising Catholics at an all-time low, the number of Catholics who are evangelised — that is, those living in an experiential and living relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, at the centre of their lives — is even more distressing, according to the highest and most reliable Church sources, perhaps only 10%.
The reason why we do not evangelise is because many are not sure of the basic Gospel message. We are justified, according to the cathechism, by faith in Jesus Christ and by his grace, working in love (Gal 5:6).
From the answers many Catholics give when asked how they intend getting to heaven (our blessed hope), it seems many have fallen prey to a form of Pelagianism (a heresy, by the way), in which they are attempting to save themselves by their own efforts.
The answers to that question, from most, are “by being good, nice or sincere”, “by trying harder” or “doing a sufficient number of good deeds”.
There is little interest in bringing others to faith in Jesus Christ, when all one’s energy is consumed in trying to achieve one’s own salvation by one’s own efforts. That is a travesty of the Gospel. In the Mass we pray: “Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.”
Usually the name of Jesus is not even mentioned. Sometimes the word “providence” may be used, instead. One is put in mind of Christ’s words: “If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven.”
Graced good works must appear in the life of a believer, but as fruits of grace; the result of faith in Jesus Christ, proving that our faith is genuine (see James 2:17).
Many who are not evangelised are characterised by self-centredness. Lives are devoid of validating, affirming, uplifting or encouraging others.
Others are affirmed by their many years of service to the Church, as catechists, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, sacristans, proclaimers of the Word at Mass or well-known members of various Church sodalities.
But are their hearts in it, or are they doing it for worldly recognition? Mother Teresa of Calcutta warned against doing great things for God. Rather we should do little things, but with great love.
Many of us are sacramentalised, and not evangelised. We may get to heaven yet, but as “good pagans”.
Despite all the years of Catholic education and other catechesis, there seem to be some astounding gaps.
Catholic “evangelisation” has often taken the form of merely advocating Christian morality. But such a limited approach is Pelagian for it neglects the necessity of faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
To preach the evil of, say, abortion, to the “world” is like expecting an apple tree to bear grapes. The world will perceive it as yet another “law”, and not grace, for that is the only context it understands.
What is needed is the proclaiming of the full Gospel message with Jesus at the centre, which Pope Francis is expressing so powerfully. Bl John Paul II is quoted as saying that some Catholics have not experienced Christ personally but as a “value” or “paradigm” (L’Osservatore Romano, March 24, 1994, p 1,7). In the Gospel, the idea of values does not appear.
Cardinal Vicente Enrique y Tarancón, former archbishop of Toledo, Spain, has said: “It is wrong for the Church to impose Catholic morality on the world. Without the grace of God, there is no way anyone can live Catholic morality, let alone accept it” (Morality and Grace, 30 Days No 5, 1993:8).
The reason for the Church’s existence is to evangelise. We do evangelise by the example of a good, Christian life, but true evangelisation is fruitless without “a clear and explicit proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI).
“For woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (I Cor 9:16).
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