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Evangelii Nuntiandi: Chapter III
The Content of Evangelization, no. 27: The Central Message
This number begins the section of four parts (nos. 27-30) on the central message of evangelization. The central message is salvation in Jesus Christ. But the salvation Jesus brought us is not just a freeing from the evils, worries and sufferings of this world; He brought us more. He brought us the promise of eternal salvation. This changes everything.
Jesus’ religion is not one that promises all happiness and well-being on this earth. It does promise us peace of soul here. It does promise to lessen the sufferings caused by our sins and vices, but it does not promise to take all suffering and pain away. The God of Jesus Christ, the Father in heaven, is a God of justice; sin must be atoned for. The Good News is that Jesus has atoned for our sins and that they all can be forgiven because of His passion and death.
But God is a God of love. His salvation for us is communion with Him forever. This is more than we can understand, yet it is what Jesus announced to us. Here are some words of His to that effect. “Then Jesus looked at him [the rich young man] with love and told him, ‘There is one more thing you must do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor; you will then have treasure in heaven” (Mk 10:21). “Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven” (Mt 5:12).
Further words of Jesus: “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19). “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20).
Jesus’ Kingdom begins here but is not fulfilled completely in this life. Here we can have a taste of it in a good conscience (cf. 1Tm 1:19; Heb 10:22), but its fulfillment will be after this life is over in our communion with God. That is where faith tells us to put our trust and confidence. This life does not constitute the fullness of our life, no matter how happy or content we may be here at times. God has prepared something better for us, of which the present is a sign and a promise.
Jesus promised this to us in many of His sayings: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be” (Jn 14:2f).
The Content of Evangelization, no. 27: The Central Message
This number begins the section of four parts (nos. 27-30) on the central message of evangelization. The central message is salvation in Jesus Christ. But the salvation Jesus brought us is not just a freeing from the evils, worries and sufferings of this world; He brought us more. He brought us the promise of eternal salvation. This changes everything.
Jesus’ religion is not one that promises all happiness and well-being on this earth. It does promise us peace of soul here. It does promise to lessen the sufferings caused by our sins and vices, but it does not promise to take all suffering and pain away. The God of Jesus Christ, the Father in heaven, is a God of justice; sin must be atoned for. The Good News is that Jesus has atoned for our sins and that they all can be forgiven because of His passion and death.
But God is a God of love. His salvation for us is communion with Him forever. This is more than we can understand, yet it is what Jesus announced to us. Here are some words of His to that effect. “Then Jesus looked at him [the rich young man] with love and told him, ‘There is one more thing you must do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor; you will then have treasure in heaven” (Mk 10:21). “Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven” (Mt 5:12).
Further words of Jesus: “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19). “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20).
Jesus’ Kingdom begins here but is not fulfilled completely in this life. Here we can have a taste of it in a good conscience (cf. 1Tm 1:19; Heb 10:22), but its fulfillment will be after this life is over in our communion with God. That is where faith tells us to put our trust and confidence. This life does not constitute the fullness of our life, no matter how happy or content we may be here at times. God has prepared something better for us, of which the present is a sign and a promise.
Jesus promised this to us in many of His sayings: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be” (Jn 14:2f).