EVANGELIZATION INTENTION FOR AUGUST 2016
Living the Gospel: That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty, and love of neighbor.
The Letter to the Hebrews says that “the word of God is living and effective” (4: 12). This “word” is first of all Jesus himself. Jesus is the word that God spoke to the world—God’s perfect communication of who he is. This “Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1: 14).
Through the Church, the Body of Christ, the word takes flesh and is “living and effective” today. The words which Jesus taught us are not meant simply to be repeated, but lived, for, as the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.”
In this intention, Pope Francis says that there are three things that show Christians are living the Gospel. The first is “faith.” This is more than believing that God exists. It involves a relationship with God that includes trust. Jesus told us not to worry (see Matthew 6: 25-34) and the trusting peace that follows will lead people to wonder what our secret is.
Secondly, living the Gospel involves honesty. Jesus said he was the truth (John 15: 6) and that he came to witness to the truth (John 18: 37). Our honesty with God, others, and ourselves is a hallmark of our Christianity.
But perhaps the greatest witness to our living the Gospel is our love for others. As Jesus said, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13: 35).
We pray with Pope Francis that all Christians may live the Gospel, for we may be the only Gospel that some people will ever see or hear.