Worship and Evangelization Outreach / Anita Bardo

Listening well is an essential part of evangelization

“So, where are we?”

This question is a quote from Archbishop Christophe Pierre to the USCCB, in an address last November by the apostolic nuncio to the U.S. reflecting on encountering and accompanying each other on our Christian journey.

After reflecting on this address, I found myself thinking about the phrases and words that stuck out to me. I know you’ve read articles or books, and maybe reflected on what made you think further.

I would like to share with you my reflection on Archbishop Pierre’s thoughts and Pope Francis’ teachings.

We are all invited to enter a process, opening our hearts and sharing our love with one another.

Where are we? Where is our Church leadership? We are in a state of division, imbalance and spiritual discord, all trying to find our spiritual path. Are we lost in the worldly way or lost in the Church itself?

The question we ask ourselves is how we can fix the “where” and the “we.” We start by understanding the direction we are going. Are we going down this narrow road with no room to budge unless we are willing to move forward from our own comfort zone?

Knowing that the basic doctrinal and moral teachings of God’s Church is a trustworthy and reliable light on our path in life, how do we relate to others? How are we accompanying our neighbors? And how are we listening without judgment?

When we understand these three questions, then we can begin to flourish humanly and spiritually. We also take a step back and look at the need for charismatic renewal, a spiritual movement of our personal relationship with God, and find the necessary steps to feel co-responsible for the Church we love, our parishioners and our leadership.

Pope Francis encourages us to be “a missionary Church, to be evangelists.” What we’ve forgotten is how to listen, understand the cultures and traditions of others and use this to build bridges and communities.

This is not a one-time process but something we must do again and again. We are all called to heal, reignite and talk about it. Discernment is so evident. Being present is what leads us to trust more and lean on God through our prayers, which allow us to be a more authentic community.

We must use our imagination, and we must bring our creativity to evangelize by reaching our unchurched, our alienated, our practicing Catholics, all who are yearning for the Gospel.

Our experience with God, our encounter with him is, as Pope Francis says, “when we allow God to take us beyond ourselves.” Then we have that desire to share with others.

I would like to reference a statement from Archbishop Pierre’s address to his brother bishops.

He invited them to “examine how well local churches embody the characteristics of an evangelizing community. … Do we go forth and take initiative? Do we get involved? Do we accompany others, showing patience? What are the fruits that we are seeing from our evangelization efforts? Finally, do our local Churches demonstrate the joy, which flows from the Eucharist?”

We can’t stay silent. We are all called to share the goodness of God, and the National Eucharistic Revival is our step forward. I challenge you to share your story.

St. Paul said that “for all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Rom 8:14). We too have that same Spirit to share, teach and guide others. Are you ready to evangelize?
 

(Anita Bardo is the archdiocesan coordinator of evangelization and discipleship.) †