Word: Like Mary, we are the light of the New Evangelization.
Order: “Rise up in splendor … your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you”. (Is 60:1)
Reflection: Bearers of Light
As we step into the New Year let us remind ourselves that we are getting into the thick of preparations to make the Year of Faith more meaningful for all Catholics.
Just as what our Community Word for January 2013 says, we as disciples who serve our Lord Jesus Christ through the Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community, are to clothe ourselves with the character of Mary and be the light of the New Evangelization.
But what is the New Evangelization all about? Because of the word “new” there are some who assume that the practice of our Catholic faith was being restructured and or that a new format is being introduced. In a way, yes, there are changes especially in our liturgical celebration with the adoption of the new Roman Missal. But the New Evangelization is not about starting again but entering into a long-term transmission of the Gospel with the courage and boldness of St. Paul who said: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16)
To change the character of our Christian society amidst the challenges that we face from the growing influence of the post-modern world, our Church is calling us to something new in the way we live our faith experience in a renewed way and to proclaim the Gospel that is “new in its ardor, in its methods, in its expressions” (John Paul II). Pope Benedict XVI in fact said that the New Evangelization is directed “principally at those who, though baptized, have drifted away from the Church and live without reference to the Christian life… to help these people encounter the Lord, who alone fills our existence with deep meaning and peace; and to favor the rediscovery of the faith, that source of grace which brings joy and hope to personal, family and social life.” The Pope said the Church needs a new “missionary dynamic” of lay people and must pay “particular attention (to) baptized people who do not live according to the requirements of the baptism.” Clerics too must also apply “new methods, a new language that suits different cultures” in their bid for a “new evangelism,” the Pope said, as it has become urgent to make Christ known again “where the fire of God” has become mere “embers that need to be rekindled so it can again be a lively flame that gives light and warmth to the entire house,” he added. Structural changes were not needed; bishops who attended the Synodal Assembly last year said, as “believers can bring about change through their faith, a well-structured faith.” It is in the transmission of the Gospel that we as disciples of Christ are being called to become the light of the New Evangelization. “What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end.” (PortaFidei, 15)
The Readings for January 2013 gives us an idea of what our roles are in relation to this new thrust of the Church for us to help proclaim the Gospel of Christ not only the unchurched but most especially to baptized Catholics who have drifted away from the faith.
Week 1 (Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord)
What is significant in the Gospel passage for this week is that God revealed the Star of Bethlehem to the three Wise Men who are not Jews which means that Salvation is for the Jews and Gentiles alike. As the star rose, its light was seen throughout which also means that the Light of Christ shines throughout the world. To each one of us is given the same light of the Epiphany to recognize and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We need to rely on our faith which is a gift from God. Faith thus moves our will and intellect to cooperate with Grace. “Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace” (Thomas Aquinas). Our calling is to know God in a personal way and the Feast of the Epiphany should serve as a reminder for us to accept Jesus as our King such that Christ is reflected in everything we do and say. Our mandate thus is also to become a star to guide others to Christ. And with Christ in us, we can become the new Epiphany of God’s love and the light of the New Evangelization when we know, serve, and follow Jesus.
Week 2 (The Baptism of the Lord)
The deeper reality behind the baptism of Jesus is that it became an opportunity for God to formally unveil His plan for the whole of creation. Jesus’s baptism was in fulfillment of the Will of God because at His baptism the heavens were opened and the waters were sanctified by the descent of the Holy Spirit, signifying the beginning of a new creation. The beauty of the Baptism of Jesus and even our own baptism is in the accompanying action of the Holy Spirit who empowers Jesus as He begins His earthly ministry. This is the same with us because it is through the Holy Spirit who indwells in us in our baptism, providing us with the power to plunge into the mission field as bearers of light for the New Evangelization. With our incorporation into the Body of Christ, our mission should move us outward (not inward) as we are called and commanded by Christ to be the salt and light to those around us. Christ wants His love and truth to shine through us so that we can be of help in opening the eyes of the blind and those who live in darkness.
Week 3 (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
At the wedding, Jesus didn’t just turn the water into an ordinary wine or grape juice. He turned the water into the best wine that ever was and He came up with 120 gallons of the best wine. This is what Jesus does to us when we have run out of luck or good fortune. He gives us an abundant life (Jn 10:10). This miracle at Cana shows that He has power to improve not only the quality of our lives but to change and transform us into the image to which we have all been created (Gen 1:26). What this Gospel is teaching us is that only Jesus can transform us as we struggle through life filled with anxiety and despair; but we need to let go of our unbelief, doubt, fears and most of all pride. As when the wine ran out and the hosts do not know what to do, we may also find ourselves losing control of the circumstances in our lives. What we can do is be like Nathanael and choose to follow Jesus not only to the wedding feast but wherever He will lead us. Then we will see even greater things – our transformation into the best that we can be. It is in obeying Jesus that we can truly become a light for New Evangelization.
Week 4 (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
While his town mates were amazed at the wisdom of His teaching, what they could not accept was how a very ordinary carpenter’s son could teach with authority, perform miracles, heal the sick and cast out the demons from those possessed by evil spirits. Today, we could also be committing what the Nazoreans did, which is why we need to always check the level of our faith in God. Knowing that our Lord is a forgiving God might push us to abuse God’s kindness and mercy and find the gates closed when the bridegroom arrives if we continue to wallow in sin. God is giving us a choice. We can either help proclaim the Good News to others or reject it altogether. There are no gray areas or a thin line when it comes to salvation, and in this life there are only two choices that we can make. It’s either we “are for him or against him.” And the only way we can become the light of the New Evangelization is when are able to accept and live out our covenant with God.
