20 - 天主教會台灣主教團

V.308-2010
INVOLVEMENT AND COMMITMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
The reason why the Church exists is to preach the Gospel (cf. Vatican
II: Lumen Gentium #16-17). Therefore, every member of the Church has
a mission and a responsibility to evangelize. The bishop is the pillar who
bears the responsibility of the entire work of evangelization. However,
priests and religious should arouse the missionary zeal of the people of
God, especially the lay people, because the latter are in direct contact with
the society and culture. They have even a more important, practical and
concrete missionary task.
A MORE VIRTUOUS SPIRITUAL LIFE
The source of all missionary work of the Church is Jesus Christ who
was sent by the Father. The effectiveness of evangelization by the Church
depends on the union between each Church member and Christ in daily life.
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without
me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5) This kind of spiritual life, which is union
with Christ, draws its nourishment through an active participation in the
sacraments and liturgies of the Church. Every Christian cannot let his life
and his union with Christ be dissociated. He should accomplish the duty
which is inherent to his state according to the will of God, doing ordinary or
extraordinary things with a heart full love for God and neighbor, as St. Paul
says: “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17).
This kind of life needs to frequently practice the three supernatural virtues
of faith, hope and charity. The work of evangelization needs holy people
(cf. John Paul II, “Redemptoris Missio” # 90). Therefore, every Christian
should make a regular examination of conscience, cultivate virtues and do
works of charity. The Christian should put an end to the seven venial sins of
pride, envy, gluttony, sloth, lust, wrath, and avarice and replace them with
the three supernatural virtues of faith, hope and charity, and the four cardinal
virtues of courage, prudence, justice and temperance. Without these virtues,
one cannot live an authentic Christian life nor can one glorify God. There
will not be any result and fruit of evangelization.
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