Our Holy Fathers and Archbishops of Alexandria Athanasius (373) and Cyril (444)
1 Peter 2:21-3:9; Mark 12:13-17
Read 1 Peter 2:21-3:9
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
This past weekend I had a conversation with a brother priest about the difference between evangelization and catechesis. We agreed that a good many people understand these words as synonymous. There is a difference, and today’s selection from Peter’s letter helps us to understand this.
The word evangelization literally means goodnewsing, the process of spreading the Good News. The Good News (literally, the Gospel) is not so much about a Book as it is about a Person – Jesus Christ. When we speak of a friend to another friend, we usually in the end desire that these two friends would encounter each other – “I hope one day you will meet them; you’ll love them!” It is the same with evangelization. We want our family and friends to meet our Great Friend, none other than the Lord and Master of the Universe who loves us so much that He willingly took on our human flesh, becoming like us in all ways except for sin, teaching us, loving us, and pouring out His blood for us in His Passion and Crucifixion, bearing our sins so that we may die to sin and live in righteousness, and ultimately, to be so united in Him in His own resurrection from the dead. His life is our life. Evangelization means leading others to actually encounter our Lord Jesus Christ. We share with others about our relationship with Him.
The word catechesis means to give instruction orally. This is teaching others all about our Lord, His Bride, the Church, salvation, the Holy Mysteries, on how to live the Christian life in the world. Catechesis is the forming of disciples who will in turn evangelize others.
St. Peter literally encountered our Lord. He was called forth to be a disciple and, in the end, the leader of the Apostles. His life was changed. He wasn’t perfect (he denied the Lord three times) but he strove for perfection in the Lord. And he led others to encounter our Lord, and he taught them about the Christian life. He evangelized and catechized.
Today’s selection from Peter’s first Letter gives a perfect example of catechesis. He is reflecting on the Holy Mystery of Baptism and its effects on the Christian. Not only is each of us changed when we are united to Christ in Baptism, but our relationships are also changed as well. Husbands and wives, slaves and masters, and the members of the local church are the examples he brings forward. Read this selection again. ask yourself how you are living up to this standard. Do I seek a spirit of unity among my brothers and sisters? Do I have a love for all whom I meet or am I selective in whom I love? Do I seek to love with tender-heartedness and with a humble mind? Do I return evil for an evil or do I forgive easily? Do I give a blessing instead of reviling another? If you are like me, I try and fail. Not to worry, we get up, and with His assistance (grace) we keep trying. We will succeed!