Msgr. Pope on Paradoxes of Evangelization

"In the Church throughout the world today, we are more focused on evangelization - and rightly so. A huge conference is planned next week in Orlando on the topic. Yes, it is 'job one,' and Jesus could not have been clearer: Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matt 28:18-20).

"However, even as we become more serious and practical about effective evangelization, we must also remember the paradox and the mysteries that underlie the growth of the Kingdom. We can and should strive to learn 'best practices,' what makes for dynamic parishes and effective outreach, but even when many of these things are in place (e.g., good liturgy, dynamic preaching, Eucharistic adoration, welcoming parish), growth does not always come; sometimes numbers may even continue to decrease. Conversely, even in parishes where the liturgy is perfunctory, preaching is weak, and devotions are hurried, there may be significant growth. I know parishes that should be growing, but are not; I also know parishes that are growing almost in spite of themselves.

"There are mysterious aspects to the growth or decline of the Church. Jesus said, This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how (Mark 4:26-29).

"Thus the Lord teaches that much of the growth in the Kingdom of God is mysterious and works 'we know not how.'"

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of evangelization and on some of the "paradoxical and countercultural ways in which Saint Paul says we engage the world."

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: The Paradoxes of Evangelization: Why Simply Imitating the Worldly Marketing Schemes May Not Be the Answer (26 JUN 17)