The Charismatic Renewal
is Evangelizing Worldwide!
"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." (Matthew 28:19)
We thank God for the people worldwide who are becoming members of the Catholic Church through the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) and the invitation of Catholics! And we also ask God’s forgiveness for our responsibility to those Catholics who are not practicing their Catholic faith today or who have chosen to join other churches in search of a closer relationship with Jesus. What repentance is necessary?
Charismatics world-wide have been evangelizing. Or, to use a word coined by Pope John Paul II, we have been "re-evangelizing." The purpose of re-evangelization "is the foundation of mature ecclesial communities, in which the faith might radiate and fulfill the basic meaning of adherence to the person of Christ and his Gospel." The Pope insists that re-evangelization is necessary because so many Catholics have not been evangelized, have not been led to an authentic faith in the Person of Jesus. Charismatics, in their seminars and literature and ministry, have been providing this authentic faith by which Catholics are led to turn their lives over completely to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Many find this surrender a challenge, but they rejoice to finally come to a closer and more intimate relationship with Jesus. It’s only when we stop being lord of our own lives that we can adhere to Jesus as the Lord of our lives.
It is strange that Christians should be sent to evangelize others when they have not been evangelized themselves. That is why our wise and discerning Pope so consistently pleads that every Christian be brought to authentic faith in Jesus. The scriptural program of the Charismatic Renewal inspired by the Holy Spirit leads people to this surrender to the Person of Jesus and to the Person of the Holy Spirit. As re-evangelists we witness to the Person of Jesus. But as charismatic Catholics, we prayerfully rely on the Holy Spirit, for as Jesus proclaims, Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me." (John 15:26) Charismatics learn to be instruments of the Spirit in leading others to a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord of their lives.
As Christians who adhere to Jesus, we are commissioned to evangelize the
non-baptized. "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach
the gospel to the whole creation.'"
(Mark 16:15)
But we cannot do it by our own power. "You shall receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."
(Acts 1:8)
Yes, we need the power of the Spirit to overcome our fear and reticence,
but that quickly fades as the Spirit makes Jesus more real for us. It is
so much easier to witness to someone whom we daily experience, to talk about
someone who has a personal influence on our lives and on the lives of our
mature ecclesial communities.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is bringing nothing new to the Catholic Church. With the guidance of the Spirit this program is helping all Catholics be aware of their Catholic heritage. Praise God!
