I use the phrase, “Christ in our midst” to greet our community at the start of liturgy every Sunday. They respond, “He is and always shall be.” Independently, and together these two statements are filled with good news. The sharing of this good news in essence is evangelization—the focus of this quarter’s newsletter.

Having celebrated the gift of Christ to the world at Christmas on a few months ago, we also acknowledged the true manifestation of the ‘word made flesh’ at the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25.

And so, as early as the infant narratives, those who receive the Good News also become the first proclamers of it:

• The Magi, who “after having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, departed for their country by another way.” There is no scriptural account of the Magi after this, but we can only assume that, once home, they shared their experience with everyone they came in contact with including everyone along the way. (Matthew 2:12)
• The Shepherds, who “from the very moment of hearing angles proclaim the presence of a savior, go in haste to Mary and Joseph and share what was told to them. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:17-18)

These first recorded encounters with Christ transform those with whom the message is shared into witnesses themselves. Throughout the Gospels, not only do we see lives transformed by Christ, but those who experience the personal encounter are called to a response of action:

• Zacchaeus—“gives half his possessions to the poor.” (Luke 19:8)
• Samaritan Woman—left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, “Come and see. Could he possibly be the Messiah.” In the very next verse we learn the town’s people “went out of town and came to him.” (John 4: 1-30)
• Two blind men—after being instructed not to tell, go out and spread word of him through all the land. (Matthew 9:31)

A discussion of evangelization certainly cannot overlook Saint Paul, the “Apostle to the Gentiles,” whose experience and writings are the source of faith for the entire non-Jewish world.

As we move through the remainder of this calendar year, in the midst of this holy year of St. Paul, let us be refreshed, renewed, and reminded of our role in ministry—to proclaim the Gospel at all times. May the hope and anticipation that comes with Christmas continue to give us confidence that those to whom we share the message of the love of God will then be transformed, called to action, and sent out to share that message with their friends and families. The honor of being a part of the process that brings others to Christ, and making disciples who in turn evangelize others, truly is Good News.