When we live our faith, it is essential to keep our eyes on the blessings we receive from our relationship with Jesus. These blessings not only enrich our own lives but also empower us to share the Good News with others. By reflecting on the transformative difference Jesus makes in our lives, we can inspire others to follow Him, and enter into a relationship with Him. This is the heart of evangelization—sharing the joy, peace, purpose and other blessings that comes from knowing Christ personally.
The cornerstone of understanding what Jesus brings to one’s life is found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus declares, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundance is a life rooted in God’s grace, love, and truth. Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross enables the forgiveness of our sins and reconciles us to the Father, opening the path to eternal life (John 3:16). This salvific act grants believers the opportunity to live in the freedom of God’s love, liberated from the burden of sin and death.
In developing a relationship with Jesus, we enter into communion with God, a union that fulfills the deepest longings of the human heart. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that only in Christ can this desire be fully satisfied. Through prayer, the sacraments, and Scripture, individuals grow closer to Jesus and experience the transformative power of His presence. The Eucharist, in particular, is central to this relationship, as Catholics, in receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, are united with Him in a profound and intimate way (CCC 1324). This intimate connection nourishes the soul and strengthens the believer.
Jesus also brings peace—a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not the absence of difficulties but a deep trust in God’s providence, even amid life’s trials. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, promising a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. His presence offers comfort and strength, assuring believers that they are never alone. Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, highlights that Christ’s peace fills our hearts when we open ourselves to His grace and allow His love to guide us through the complexities of life.
Moreover, a relationship with Jesus provides a sense of purpose and direction. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This mission invites believers to participate in God’s redemptive work, giving their lives meaning beyond personal ambition. Pope St. John Paul II emphasized that “it is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else satisfies you” (“World Youth Day, 2000”). Living in relationship with Jesus helps individuals align their lives with God’s will, finding fulfillment in service, love, and witness. This mission fosters a sense of responsibility to share the Gospel with our lives, which not only benefits others but deepens the believer’s faith as they experience the joy of contributing to God’s kingdom.
Finally, Jesus brings a profound sense of belonging to the family of God. Through baptism, believers become adopted children of God and members of the Church, the Body of Christ. This communal aspect of faith is essential, as it provides support, encouragement, and accountability. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit and the Magisterium, ensures that the faithful have access to the truth and means of grace necessary for their journey with Christ. St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that every member of the Church plays a unique role, and together they form one body in Christ. This sense of community encourages believers and reminds them that they are part of a greater whole, united in love and faith.
Additionally, a relationship with Jesus instills hope, even in the face of suffering. The Paschal Mystery—Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection—demonstrates that suffering is not meaningless but can lead to redemption and new life. Pope Benedict XVI, in Spe Salvi, writes that “the one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.” This hope, rooted in the promise of eternal life, empowers believers to persevere and trust in God’s ultimate plan for their lives.
In conclusion, a relationship with Jesus Christ enriches life with spiritual abundance, peace, purpose, belonging, and hope. Through His saving grace, Jesus invites all to experience the fullness of life in Him, a life that not only transforms the present but also promises eternal joy with God.
Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com
Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:
- Priestly Leadership in Evangelization
- Café evangelization at the University of Mary Washington
- Evangelization: A Living Testament of God’s Love
- Living in The Joy of The Gospel
- In The Beginning Was the Word: The Primary Role of Scriptures in Evangelization
- One-Phrase Evangelization
- Asking Each Day for the Grace to Help Someone
- The Parish as an Expression of God’s Love for the World
- If no one speaks, no one will know
- Evangelizing Through Healing: Manifesting God’s Loving Presence
- The Parable of the Wise Landowner
- Extraordinary Signs in Extraordinary Times
- The Evangelizing Message of Medjugorje
- The distinction between proselytism and authentic evangelization
- What God Needs from Us Is Love, Reconciliation, and a Spirit of Forgiveness
- Evangelization: A Collaborative Mission of Love
- Prayer and Service that Finds Favor With God
- The Transformative Power of Love
- The Evangelization Power of Prayer and Love for God
- Everyday Evangelization
- Every Act of Love is Evangelization
- Loving Jesus and Making Him Loved
- Embracing a Lifestyle of Worship and Praise
- A Prayer for Divine Healing and Restoration
- Factors That Have Proven to Attract People to Christ
- Evangelization: Finding Life and Giving Life
- The Eucharist: Source And Summit of All Evangelization
- Practical Steps for Reaching the Unchurched
- Bible Sharing Guide for Small Groups: A Synodal Approach
- Bringing People to Christ by Inspiring Love and Praise for God
- Proclaiming God’s Word: A Sacred Call
- From Decline to Renewal: The Transformation of New Life Church–Farmington
- The Church’s Social Doctrine and Evangelization
- Kindness: A Christian Perspective
- How to Bring Someone to Christ
- The Ultimate Purpose of Human Life – Glorifying God
- From Near-Death to New Life: A Rural Church’s Revitalization Journey
- Evangelization simply: “Taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
- Revitalization of Rural Churches
- Attracting Converts to the Catholic Faith
- Addressing Low Attendance in Churches
- Fostering a Sacred Atmosphere during the Sunday Mass
- Prayer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit
- Jesus is Thirsty for Souls
- Praying And Sharing The Good News With God’s Redemptive Names
- Embracing the Call to Evangelize
- What is Most Pleasing to God? Bringing Souls to Christ
- The Growth of the Church of the Nativity (Fr. Michael White)
- Deliverance Prayer, by Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti (AUDIO – mp3)
- The Growth of Saint Benedict Parish (Fr. James Mallon)
- Five Pillars of the Christian Life
- Encountering Christ: The Path to Transformation
- What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
- Unleashing The Evangelization Potential of Your Parish
- The Ultimate Goal of Evangelization
- God’s Longing for Love and our Mission to Make it Known
- A prayer for those whom we wish to encounter Christ
- Memorable Sundays
- Fr. Bedard’s Three-Step Blueprint for Evangelisation
- Guide for The Missionary Transformation of Parishes
- Divine Encounters: A Practical Guide for Small Evangelization Groups
- The Missionary Transformation of Sant’Eustorgio Parish
- Creating Vibrant Faith Communities: Insights from ‘Excellent Catholic Parishes’
- Sharing The Gospel According to People’s Needs And Receptivity
- A Prayer for Inviting Others to Evangelization Meetings and Services
- Welcoming Church Guests and Visitors: Dos and Don’ts
- Various Dimensions of Evangelization
- The True Measure of Success
- Pope Francis on Evangelization
- Revitalizing the Rural Parish for Mission
- Factors Leading to Christian Conversion
- Evangelizing Through Random Acts of Kindness
- Questions To Start Spiritual Conversations
- Three Feet From Gold
- Spreading the Gospel One Act at a Time
- Gather, Witness and Invite
- Prayer to Receive the Spiritual Gifts of The Holy Spirit
- The Language of Evangelization
- Key Factors for Parish Growth According to Rich Birch
- How to defeat Satan?
- Bringing Love, Hope and Healing Through the Gospel
- Love: Our Fundamental Vocation
- Touched by the Master
- A Man, a Dog, and the Ultimate Love
- The essence of evangelization: Loving God and our neighbours
- Loving Our Enemies and Reconciling with Others
- A Powerful Prayer for Healing: You Are The LORD Who Heals Me
- Living a Life of Love: Mother Teresa’s Legacy
- Living a Life of Love: Lessons from the New Testament
- In The Shadows Of Darkness, A Powerful Force Is At Work
- 19 Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth
- The Missionary Renewal of Catechesis
- Characteristics of missionary parishes
- Powerful healing prayer attributed to St. Padre Pio
- We are called to share our faith with others
- Should we seek to grow the Church?
- Find a Need and Fill It – Revealing God’s Heart in the Community
- 15 Habits to Evangelize on a Daily Basis
- The Church’s Mission
- Three Barriers to Building An Invitational Culture In Your Parish
- The Relational Evangelizer
- Doing Church at Home
- The Blind Girl
- A Group of Frogs
- The Elephant Rope
- A Shared Faith is a Growing Faith
- In The Shoes Of The Unchurched
- Parish Evangelizing Cells
- Six Unique Features of Missional Parishes
- Steps Towards Becoming A Missional Parish
- What Is Evangelization, And How Should It Be Carried Out?
- Discussion And Self-Assessment Questions For Parish Evangelization
- A Missional Church Is A Church That Prays
- The Jesus Prayer: A Method To Pray At All Times
- What can help children raised Catholic continue practicing the faith as adults?
- An Example of a Missionary Parish: Phoenix First Assembly of God
- Satan’s Tactics
- Learning to Be a Missionary
- When we cry out to God, he answers
- Presence and Proclamation
- Saving those who are lost
- Saint-Nazaire Parish: The story of a missionary transformation
- Small Groups and Evangelization
- Evangelizing By Inviting People To Receive Jesus As Lord And Saviour
- You Will Receive Power…
- Have You Heard About the Law of Three Hearings and Seven Touches?
- Three Habits of a Fruitful Christian Life
