Reflection: The Joy of Proclaiming the Gospel

Reflection in Language Groups

The Joy of Proclaiming the Gospel

INSTRUCTIONS:

Gathered together in your assigned groups and after having introduced yourselves to one another:

Choose a coordinator who

• . Will give each participant an opportunity to speak,
• . Will assure that each person can express his/her opinion,
• Will be mindful of the time (50 minutes).

Choose a secretary who will take notes.

INTRODUCTION:

The Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium is intended to encourage all the members of the Church to engage in a process in which their evangelizing and missionary activity is renewed. For us as members and advisors of the VMY this is most important… . The members of the Association commit themselves to live and work actively and responsibly in communion with the members of the Church and its pastors on the local and world level (International Statutes, #5).

Today, as the Church seeks to experience a profound missionary renewal, there is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people we meet, whether they be our neighbors or complete strangers. This is the informal preaching which takes place in the middle of a conversation, something along the lines of what a missionary does when visiting a home. Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey (EG, #127).

Questions for your consideration:

What thoughts are suggested to you in this reference to the Exhortation?

As a member of the VMY or as an advisor, what can we do to make those words a reality?

How can we live more fully the missionary characteristic of our Association?