ARTICLE – Evangelization simply: “Taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)

May 28, 2024 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

Evangelization invites people to encounter Christ in a transformational way, tasting God’s goodness, as expressed in Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good”.

Such approach is essential, as it moves beyond mere intellectual assent to a lived experience of faith. Pope Francis emphasizes that “the primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him” (EG, 264, emphasis ours). Thus, evangelization is an act of sharing the transformative encounter with Christ, inviting others to partake in this divine experience.

The Bible reiterates this experiential invitation in various passages. In John 1:39, Jesus says to the disciples, “Come, and you will see.” This personal invitation is foundational to evangelization. Similarly, in Matthew 11:28, Jesus beckons, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Both instances highlight the importance of personal encounter.

Evangelization is also about witnessing to the goodness of God with our lives. The Psalmist’s declaration to “taste and see” implies a personal testimony of God’s goodness. This is echoed in 1 Peter 3:15-16, which instructs believers to “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.” Here, the act of witnessing is not just about verbal proclamation but living a life that visibly reflects and communicates God’s goodness to others.

The magisterium reinforces this approach. In Redemptoris Missio, St. John Paul II states, “The witness of a Christian life is the first and irreplaceable form of mission” (RM, 42). Authentic evangelization, therefore, involves living in a way that others can see and experience the goodness of the Lord through our actions. Psalm 34:8 also invites to a communal experience of God’s goodness. Evangelization, indeed, needs to foster community and communion. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early Christian community as one devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, underscores this communal aspect of evangelization: “The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice” (EG, 24). Evangelization should build communities where people can collectively “taste and see” the goodness of the Lord, experiencing it through shared faith and fellowship.

While personal witness and community are vital, proclamation of the Word is equally crucial. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans asks, “How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Rom 10:14-15). This highlights the importance of verbally proclaiming the Gospel.

The invitation to “taste and see” also has profound Eucharistic implications. The Eucharist is the ultimate experience of God’s goodness, where believers literally “taste” the body of Christ and “see” his sacrificial love. In John 6:51, Jesus declares, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” This sacramental experience is central to evangelization, as it continually nourishes and transforms believers. Pope Benedict XVI, in Sacramentum Caritatis, states, “The Church draws her life from Christ in the Eucharist; by him she is fed and by him she is enlightened” (SC, 6). Evangelization flows from this Eucharistic heart, inviting others to the table of the Lord where they can taste the goodness of the Lord in the most profound and intimate way.

Evangelization also emphasizes mercy and compassion. Experiencing God’s goodness compels believers to extend His mercy to others. Jesus’ ministry was marked by acts of compassion and mercy, as seen in Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” This compassion is a vital aspect of evangelization, demonstrating God’s love in tangible ways. Pope Francis, in Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee of Mercy, writes: “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers” (MV, 10). By embodying mercy, evangelizers help others see the Lord’s goodness through acts of love and kindness.

Finally, Evangelization should also be imbued with joy and hope. The second part of Psalm 34:8 speaks of the blessedness of those who take refuge in the Lord, suggesting a life filled with joy and security. This joy is a powerful witness to the goodness of God. In 1 Peter 1:8, we read, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, highlights joy as a hallmark of evangelization: “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness” (EG, 1). Joyful evangelization attracts others to Christ.

To conclude, Psalm 34:8 truly captures the essence of evangelization: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Evangelization is an invitation made to others to experience God’s goodness personally and communally. Evangelization goes beyond the simple act of promoting our religious beliefs; it is about calling out others know and experience the love of God and embark on a transformative journey through their encounter with Christ. By living authentic Christian lives, building supportive communities, proclaiming the Word, and embodying compassion, joy and mercy, we fulfill this divine mission and draw others into the loving embrace of the Father.

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work

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