PODCAST: Auspice Maria Ep. 2: How to Proclaim the Gospel

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Full transcription:

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Auspice Maria podcast. My name is Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland, and I'd like to begin with a prayer, and we'll be talking today about the proclamation of the Gospel. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Oh gracious God, we thank you for the outpouring of your Spirit as we prepare ourselves for the great feast of Pentecost. Prepare our hearts, Lord, and may the Holy Spirit inspire us to be bold proclaimers of the good news. We ask your blessing through Christ our Lord, amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. 

Today I'd like to talk with you about some fundamental points of proclaiming the gospel. It's really something essential, not just for bishops or missionaries, but for every single baptized person. When we talk about proclaiming the gospel, it's really a focus on the kerygma. That is the core, simple, powerful proclamation that Jesus is Lord. And how that is the first and essential mission of the church. 

We'll root ourselves first in the Gospel of St. Mark, chapter one, verses 14 to 20, where Jesus himself begins his ministry, not by doing miracles, not by forming a team, but by preaching. I'd like to start with the text itself. 

In Mark 1, verses 14 to 15, it reads, "After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God. This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel."

I would like to point out three things here. First, timing. Jesus steps in after John is arrested, and that matters. John's voice is silenced, a prophetic voice is removed, and Jesus enters, not in fear, but in boldness. John had prepared the way, and now Jesus steps into the public square with divine clarity. 

Secondly, the content, the gospel of God. The word in Greek is euangelium. Originally used in Roman imperial context, it meant the announcement of a new emperor or a great victory. But Jesus repurposes this word, euangelium. This is God's royal announcement, the declaration that his kingdom, his reign, his justice, his mercy is breaking into human history right now. 

Third, Jesus gives a two-fold response. Repent, not just behavior modification, but really this is a call to change of heart, turning the heart, turning around, turning one's life around. Also, believe. This is not mere intellectual assent. In Greek, pistevo means to entrust your life. Pistevo, entrust your life. This is the kerygma in seed form. The kingdom is here. Convert, change, trust, believe. 

Well, what is the kerygma and why does it matter? Let's pause and define this word for a moment, kerygma. It comes from the Greek, kÄ“ruso, which means to proclaim like a herald. And this isn't quiet, this isn't private, it's the core public message of the church. 

The kerygma is not theology class, it's not apologetics, it's a simple burning message, a burning word that God created us out of love. Sin broke that relationship. Jesus, God's son, came to restore it. He died and rose for us. He is alive and reigns, and we are invited to repent, believe, and follow. 

In Acts 2, we hear Peter standing up at Pentecost and boldly proclaiming, "This Jesus, whom you crucified, God raised up. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins."

That's the kerygma. And that day, amazingly so, 3,000 people believed. Not because Peter debated, but because he proclaimed, "This Jesus whom you crucified, God raised up. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins."

We read in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul telling us about Christ dying for us. Paul says this is of first importance. Christ died for our sins. He was buried and he was raised on the third day. St. Paul is writing here that this is primary, kerygma. Christ died, he was buried, and he was raised. 

If we were to turn now to the other verses of chapter one in Mark, verses 16 to 20, we hear Jesus now calling his first disciples. Again, we're looking at verses 16 to 20 in chapter one of Mark. "As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets. Jesus said to them, come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." 

This isn't just a call to follow, it's a call to join the mission. Jesus says, "I will make you fishers of men."

This is evangelical language. It's not just an image, it's not just a cute metaphor. It's really about calling people from darkness and drawing them into God's kingdom. Jesus is inviting these men to be heralds of the kerygma He's preparing them for this task once he dies, rises, and ascends to heaven. 

And how do Simon and Andrew respond? Well, it says they left their nets and followed him. I'm always amazed by this passage because it shows no hesitation. They don't ask him about conditions or about, "well, what's going to happen? What's in it for us?" 

They left their livelihood. They left their identity. And we might ask, why? Because the call is urgent. The kingdom doesn't wait. 

And then James and John, we hear as we continue in those verses, do the same. They even leave their father and hired men. And that detail really matters. Discipleship and evangelization often involve leaving comfort behind. 

This is our model. First, hear the kerygma. Then, after we've embraced it, proclaim it. The Church's first mission is this. The Church exists to evangelize. We are given the Great Commission in Matthew 28 to "go and make disciples of all the nations."

That commission has echoed down to the present time. I'd like to just quote something from you from Evangelii Nuntiandi of Saint Pope Paul VI. And in that document on evangelization, The saintly pope is very clear, the church exists to evangelize. In section 14, "the church exists to evangelize. It's part of her very mission, her very identity."

So we could say, based on that, that the first mission is not to build buildings, it's not to run events, and not even, I dare say, to serve the poor. These of course are fruits, but the root, the first act, is proclamation. And this isn't just for popes and priests, deacons, the trained folk, this is for everyone. The laity are called to this mission. 

And in Lumen Gentium, section 31, the church teaches this, reminding us that the laity, the baptized, are made sharers in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly functions of Christ. The prophetic role is the role of the voice, the proclaimer, the one who speaks the word of God. And Vatican II made it clear, every baptized person is a proclaimer of the kerygma. 

So I don't want to overcomplicate things. And here's how you may share this kerygma, because I know it might sound very complex, but it's really not. 

For example, God made you for a relationship with Him. Sin broke that relationship, but Jesus came to restore it. He died and He rose. He is alive. And He wants your heart. Turn back. He loves you. You are lovable. 

A simple message, but there's great things in this message that are profound, that indeed we are loved by God. Our Father wants a relationship with us, and sin will not get in the way of that if we don't allow it. Jesus has offered that opportunity to us And the Father really does want our hearts. We can turn back. And he does love us. We are assured of that. 

So how do we proclaim today? How do we proclaim this kerygma today? It might seem complex. We might be really nervous to do this. We might think it's not our business. Who am I to share this message? Again, we're just proclaiming. So how do we do this in a world of noise and distraction? 

Well, just some suggestions. Live the gospel visibly. Joy, patience, humility. These characteristics really do shine forth in others when they are embodied in them. And people will ask, why are you like this? Why are you joyful? You're so patient. How can you be so patient? 

And that's your moment. That's your moment to share the kerygma. You can tell them why. You can tell them because of what Jesus has done for you, who Jesus is in your life. You can tell them about your relationship with the Father. 

The second thing that might be considered in proclaiming the Gospel today, speak plainly. Don't worry about being poetic. 

Simply, you might say, "Jesus has changed my life. He's forgiven me. He's real. And that's enough."

You might also share that in your church community, that you're hopefully attending, that you find there also support and strength and love, are nourished by the sacraments. So there's an opportunity not just to talk about what Jesus has done for you, sort of that vertical dimension, but you can also talk about what that means in a horizontal way, as you are able to also share fellowship, faith, community with your parish, with your church community. 

Thirdly, you might simply just pray for boldness. In Acts 4, we hear about the early church praying. Just again, to kind of truncate that, "Lord, grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness."

I think it's great to pray before we speak. Of course, let the Holy Spirit speak through us. Again, Acts 4, verse 29. "Lord, grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness."

The Holy Spirit still gives that courage. It's one of the gifts. All we have to do is ask for that or just remind ourselves that we have it with the sacrament of baptism and with the sacrament of confirmation, the fullness of it. 

And then fourth, begin with relationship. Proclamation is really personal. It's put this way to me. Jesus just doesn't send a scroll from heaven. It's not like God sends a message to us. He actually becomes flesh, incarnate. And we do the same. We become his message, his incarnate message of love, embodied in our lives as we live out our faith, visibly, speaking plainly, speaking and also praying for that boldness.

So some final thoughts, if I may. Jesus began his ministry with proclamation. He called his disciples not to sit and watch, but to join him in proclaiming with him this good news, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe. And that's our call too. 

We can add to that, of course, that Christ has died for us, he rose for us, and he has so beautifully eliminated sin and death as obstacles now for an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father, if we want that. 

Maybe you've never thought of yourself as an evangelizer. Well, that's okay, because the Spirit is already in you. And if you're baptized, you really are an evangelizer. And the Church needs your voice. 

Thanks for listening today to the Auspice Maria podcast. I hope it's encouraged you in some way to share with someone who needs a reminder of what really matters, that Jesus is Lord and we're called to proclaim him. 

I'd like to just end with a Hail Mary entrusting this day and this effort of our church to be proclaimers of this good news to her loving intercession as we pray. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.