Of Malls and Evangelization

There's a Mega Mall in Sharjah, UAE! This is of course, not a branch of Shoe Mart (SM) from the Philippines -- which too has its own Mega Mall.  Every time Filipinos in the vicinity point at the establishment, it reminds them of home.

Speaking of malls, Dubai had recently announced to build the "Mall of the World"; aimed to be the biggest mall---you guessed it---in the world! I surmise that if any country wants to build the next big thing it will then be the 'Mall of the Universe'.

 Malls accommodate interested businesses who are willing to rent space to sell merchandise or render services to the droves of people that it attracts.  More people come if the malls have something interesting to offer -- like a free concert or a big sale, creating "buzz".

Dubai's Mall of the World. Photo from businessinsider.com

Connecting this to the work of evangelization: are we still aiming for a "mega" evangelization and relentlessly pursuing a "world" evangelization? Are we innovating---using new expressions, new methods, and new ardor---to "attract" people to our evangelization programs or activities? Are they "interesting" enough? Are we witnessing enough? Does our evangelization approach create "buzz"?

We learn to evangelize by the example of Jesus' first disciples who could not stop talking about the Resurrection: "It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20) What is this fact---that they have seen and heard--- that emboldened the first Christian community? Benedict XVI gives us a powerful perspective in his book, The God of Jesus Christ: "The Resurrection teaches us something that now possesses eternal validity: he (Jesus Christ) is man. He remains man forever ... This is the hope of man, the Christian joy, the Good News: even to this day, he is man." Further, Benedict XVI stresses: "God loves us in such a way that his Word became flesh and remains flesh. This joy ought to be the strongest impulse and the strongest force in us, leading us to communicate it to others...".  Through the Resurrection---the Good News---we can now enter Heaven and partake in the life of love exchange of the Holy Trinity!

We can formulate many "evangelization strategies", but if we miss the point of the Resurrection -- and how it is truly Good News, then the initial hype will die down.  The exciting message of the Resurrection---that He is risen---should be felt in our speech and in our deeds.  The effective "evangelization package" so to speak, then naturally flows and realized.

We continue to depend and surrender to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit to lead us to share about the resurrection in a "new evangelizing way" that attracts droves of people to the Lord.  Then, can we genuinely have "mega" and "world" evangelization happening; through the confidence of our obedience to Christ's great commission: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit ...  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Viral Faith

Faith is strengthened when it is given to others. -Redemptoris Missio

Today, I acquired this flu virus that's been spreading in the office these past few weeks. I thought I'd be strong enough to resist, but no, I still caught it.

It made me reflect on "Faith going viral". Are we spreading the faith? Are we contagious witnesses of the Good News?

Evangelization, though challenging, has a very simple faith formula: "Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34)." If we can love others like Christ does, then faith shall spread. Consistent witnessing is tantamount to growth in evangelization.

Bishop Ambo, in his homily said "Bad news is contagious but Good news is even more contagious." The question we can ask ourselves is "Do we bring good news?" How often do we catch ourselves complaining, blaming, and frustrated? As if hope is gone.

People compromise their faith because of the loss of hope. The hope that one day, corruption will be a thing of the past or spouses will be more faithful to their vows or teens will save sex for marriage, will keep us striving for the ideal and not settle for less. When society becomes less hopeful, compromises happen. That's when laws that are anti-life start to get proposed. When society loses its faith in God, its concept of hope diminishes. But love can bring it back. If we love with the strength that comes from God, then anything is possible.

Faith, hope, and love are indeed connected to each other. St. Paul pointed out, "And the greatest of these is love (1 Cor. 13:13)."

Let us spread faith and hope by being infected with the contagious love of Christ.
 

The Power to Achieve the Impossible

We had a planning session today. It's amazing when hearts and minds meet and are led to a common purpose.  How powerful it is for the burning passion of individuals to combine and create a blazing fire of will!  Some call it synergy, I'd call it the power of the Holy Spirit.  

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us (Luke 24:32)?"

If you really look at the great commission, it's humanly impossible. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... (Mt. 28:19)."  But what gave the first Christian community the zeal and commitment to do this?  

a. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The disciples lost heart and were fearful without their leader, Jesus Christ.  But Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit, "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven (Luke 24:49)."  And so when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, their fearful hearts were filled with courage, confidence, and boldness.

b. The Good News

 "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33)." Christ resurrection was too good a news.  One cannot just be passive about it, specially the apostles.   If one kept it inside, he would surely burst.  The message was so great that it will fill the earth.

c. His kingdom on earth

The apostles were to build a community of believers, the Church.  "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had (Acts 4:32)." They were determined to establish Christian communities throughout the world.  Paul was most passionate in his missionary work and brought Christ to many places despite perils and dangers of death.

In serving God, a person needs the Holy Spirit. More so, we need a community of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit. Imagine what a group can do, knowing fully that no less than God is giving them the power to achieve the impossible.  Let us then desire His outpouring upon us, and let the blazing fire of the Holy Spirit fill us to do His holy will!