Continuing his catechesis on evangelization, Pope Francis called all Christians to give their own personal witness through a consistency in their daily life.
He encouraged pilgrims to answer three fundamental questions: “Do you believe what you proclaim? Do you live what you believe? Do you announce what you live?” In answering these questions, people can evangelize in an authentic way.
COMPLETE SUMMARY OF POPE FRANCIS' CATECHESIS:
Dear brothers and sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on missionary zeal, we now consider the teaching of Saint Paul VI in his Apostolic Exhoration Evangelii Nuntiandi, on evangelization in the modern world. Pope Paul insisted that evangelization is primarily a personal witness to the Gospel and its saving truth. For this reason, he stressed the importance, in all the baptized, of a living faith in the triune God, manifested in a life of holiness fully consistent with the message we proclaim.
Holiness of life, grounded in the gift of the Holy Spirit received in baptism, is the source
of our zeal to share with others the treasure of new life and hope that is ours. Pope Paul went on to say that the Church not only evangelizes, but is herself evangelized, that is, constantly called to conversion and interior renewal in the Spirit. A Church that evangelizes is entirely turned to God, the source of our salvation, and, at the same time, entirely engaged in a creative dialogue with the world, cooperating with the Lord’s gracious plan for the unity and peace of our human family.
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in
today’s Audience, especially the groups from England, Indonesia, the Phillipines and the United States of America. May our Lenten journey bring us to Easter with hearts purified and renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Upon you and your families I invoke joy and peace in Christ our Redeemer.
