“Ask a Priest: How Can I Evangelize?”

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest
Q: Is it a mortal sin not to preach the Gospel and evangelize? What is the definition of evangelization, and what are examples? – I.F.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: We need to distinguish here.

If we don’t preach the Gospel in a certain moment — for instance, to a wayward relative who happens to be visiting briefly — that might be a venial sin.

But if we go month after month, year after year, without sharing the Gospel with others, there could be a serious sin of omission.

In a particular situation it might be hard to draw a line between venial and mortal sin. God alone knows the heart of a person.

Suffice it to say that evangelization of some kind should be a part of every Catholic’s life.

What is evangelization? Let’s take a sentence from a U.S. bishops’ conference statement:

“We can rephrase his [Pope Paul VI’s] words to say that evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. At its essence are the proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and the response of a person in faith, which are both works of the Spirit of God.”

A rich read is Paul VI’s 1975 exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi.

Examples of evangelization could be:

— Making time for prayer with your family at meals and other times of the day.

— Speaking with family members and friends about the words of Christ and the teachings of the Church.

— Speaking with family members and friends about the words of Christ and the teachings of the Church.

— Getting involving in teaching CCD or doing door-to-door missions in one’s parish.

— Starting a Bible study circle or gathering a group to delve into the theology of the body.

— Supporting overseas missions with your prayers and financial donations.

— Witnessing to your faith in our neighborhood and workplace through your example, your conversations, the things your wear (crosses) or have on our desk (crucifix or picture of a saint) etc.

For more ideas, see my colleague Father Bartunek’s book, Go! 30 Meditations on How to Best Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.

Whatever your state in life, let yourself be guided by the words of 1 Corinthians 9:16 – “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!”

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!