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Evangelii Nuntiandi: Chapter III
The
Content of Evangelization, no. 29
The Central Message (cont.)


Although evangelization must be announcement of the Kingdom of Heaven, it must, however, also take account “of the reciprocal links between the Gospel and the concrete personal and social life” of the one to be evangelized.  Otherwise it will not be complete.  For this reason it requires a message that is explicit about the applications of Jesus’ message to the times and places of those to whom it is given. 

     It must address the obligations and the rights of individuals both in social matters, as well as in the family.  It must very particularly speak about the obligations of parents in their duties of procreators and educators of their children,  as indicated in Pope Paul VI’s own encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, which is referred to in a footnote.  It must refer to the obligations of children toward their parents, including end of life issues like euthanasia or taking care of their parents in their old age...  It must, of course, deal with such ordinary matters such as the need of children to obey and honor their parents.  The children also must take care of their parents when their minds and bodies grow weak with age.

Evangelization requires also that the relationship of the ones to be evangelized to the society around them be addressed.  Man must express his love of God by his love of his neighbor, which includes not just his family and friends but all with whom he interacts in life.  This includes the ones he works with, as well as all the fellow citizens of his own city or country.  The document also stresses the need to present international life and peace, justice and development to those being evangelized.  They must see the rights they have to share in the development of the world, which includes the peace and justice which are required for development.  These individuals must be reminded of their great dignity and worthiness to receive these gifts and partake in them, which includes their doing their part in living according to the principles of these great gifts.  With rights go duties.  Every right over against our neighbor is a call to a higher sense of duty of love toward our neighbor.

“Finally,” the documents says, “[evangelization] must be a message, especially strong and pointed today, of liberation.”  People everywhere in the world today are very sensitive to political and economic liberation.  They want freedom from domination by those who are more powerful.  We must, however, know that there are greater freedoms than political or economic ones.  Freedom from sin and vice, for example, make us freer than any political or economic freedom.  In fact, it is only in moral freedom that political and economic freedom can be appreciated and enjoyed fully.

This no. 29 is a good indicator of all those things that must be a part of evangelization if it is to be true to what Jesus wanted it to be when He sent His disciples and apostles out to preach that the Kingdom of God was near.  Let us ask Mary to watch over the preachers of the Gospel that they may be faithful to His Spirit in their preaching.