-
Our Faith
-
 THE
CHALLENGE OF
- MODERN
EVANGELIZATION
-
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
-
-
- The ability to communicate with each other, exchange
thoughts, inform, instruct and motivate others is an exclusively human
and wonderful gift. Our knowledge and actions are connected with
processes of communication.
-
- John the Evangelist wrote about Jesus, “Before the world
was created, the Word already existed; He was with God, and He was the
same as God… The Word was the source of light, and this light brought
life to mankind… The Word became a human b
 eing and, full of grace and truth, lived among us” (John
1:1-19). Before returning to the Father, He told His disciples that
they should be communicators of God’s Word.
-
- Since the beginning, the Church has always been a
communicative Church, not locked-up within her own self-satisfied
existence, but dynamic, open to everybody else, appealing, urging,
changing the world. In communicating God’s Word, the Church followed
the developments of its time. In the beginning of last century,
Guglielmo Marconi erected Vatican Radio, which in its time was the most
powerful transmitter in
Europe. Also, by the end of 1994, Pope John Paul II was declared
“Man of the Year” by the weekly TIME Magazine. It meant that the Pope
had been in the news of that year most frequently.
-
- Modern time has seen a tremendous development in the field
of communication.
-
- We are now in the age called “information age.” Never
before in history has information become available so fast
and widespread, than now. By means of man-made satellites circling
around the earth at a distance far up in space, even the number of a
license plate can be read. These developments bring about a challenge
to the Church not to remain behind in communicating God’s Word. More
than ever before, mankind needs that Word!
-
- One of the negative effects of the aforesaid development is
that public opinion has become a fierce power that may drag a person
either to what is good, or evil. Public opinion is easily manipulated
by false communication and becomes opposed to the Truth of God. For
example, modern communication devices may provide easy access to
pornographic materials. They may victimize people and spoil the mind
of children and adults alike.
-
- Not only a stronger and deeper-rooted moral personality is
required, but also a counterweight that brings God’s message in a
contemporary manner is needed. The Church must be inventive! She must
take the words of
Saint Paul to heart,
“Do not let evil defeat you; instead conquer evil with good” (Romans
12:21). Pope John Paul II often urgently appeals making God’s Word
heard in the modern world. “It is increasingly needed,” he said,
“that Christians be actively involved in announcing that Word in a more
explicit manner, and show their Catholic identity without fear or
compromise.” People we interact with should not only hear God’s Word,
but also see it in us.
-
- When on the day of Pentecost people from many nations
gathered in
Jerusalem,
they heard the Good News in many languages. Modern media are the “new
languages” of our time. Once Jesus said, “What you have heard in
private, you must announce from the housetops” (Matthew
10:27). We may interpret these words by saying that the antennae
and parabolas on our roofs, and the computers in our houses play an
important role in the process of evangelization.
- TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has
something wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God
answer your prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet
God’s whisper?
- Have you felt His
powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday, people
are experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a pity that
very few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good News to
share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org) or fax us
(021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t have to be
a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just tell us like
it is!
- Don’t forget to
write the subject: “Let Me Tell You A Story”
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moment to sign our guestbook.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
by Bro. Pete Lapid
Our Faith
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
Surabaya Corner
By Ramon Martillano
The Living Spirit
By Fr. Martinus S., PR
Community Life ~ Here's the Latest
By Pinky Torres
Genesis Chronicles
By Loren Sanchez
G* Kidspace
By Tintin Magbitang
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautista
God Answers Prayers
By Beth Manibog
enesis Mailbox
On Focus
By Sansu Garin
Saint for the Month
Source: Catholic Online
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