ARTICLE – Grace and Common Sense

February 20, 2025 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

The Catholic Church, guided by Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium, calls its members to evangelize and spread the Gospel. Evangelization is not just about proclaiming Church teachings but doing so with love, compassion, and common sense. Jesus Himself demonstrated that practicing faith and sharing God’s truth requires an understanding of the spirit behind the law rather than mere adherence to the letter. As Catholics, we are called to live and share the faith in a way that draws people closer to God through love and mercy.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus reached out to people where they were, addressing their needs and speaking to their hearts. He makes it clear that true faith is not just about following religious obligations but also about sharing God’s justice, mercy, and faith with others. In Matthew 23:23-24, He criticizes the Pharisees:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

Evangelization must be guided by these principles, ensuring that the way we communicate Church teachings does not become a stumbling block for others.

Jesus consistently demonstrated that evangelization must be rooted in love and mercy rather than rigid enforcement of laws. In John 8:1-11, the story of the woman caught in adultery highlights this approach. According to the Law of Moses, she was to be stoned. Yet, Jesus responded with mercy, saying, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Instead of using doctrine as a weapon, Jesus used it as an opportunity to bring about conversion and healing.

Similarly, in Mark 2:27, Jesus teaches, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” When the Pharisees criticized His disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath, Jesus reminded them that God’s laws exist to serve humanity, not to burden them. In our evangelization efforts, we must ensure that Church teachings are presented as pathways to grace rather than as rigid constraints.

The Catholic Church, following Christ’s example, teaches that evangelization must be done with pastoral sensitivity. Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, emphasizes that evangelization is about joy and accompaniment rather than harsh judgment. He writes:

“The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 114)

The Church is not simply an institution of rules but a living body that seeks to bring all people into the love of Christ.

As faithful Catholics, we are called to evangelize in a way that reflects Christ’s love. Some practical ways to do this include:

Understanding the Needs of Others – Evangelization is not just about proclaiming truth but listening to people’s struggles and addressing their questions with patience and care.
Accompanying Others with Mercy – Many people struggle with faith due to past experiences or misunderstandings. Rather than being quick to correct, we must walk with them in their journey, gradual growth in faith is more important than immediate conformity.
Balancing Truth and Love – While we cannot compromise moral truths, we can present them in ways that encourage rather than alienate. As St. Paul wrote, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Jesus summarized the entire law in two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Evangelization should always reflect this love. When we share the faith with common sense, love, and mercy, we truly follow Christ’s example and make the Gospel transformative. The Church, as a mother and teacher, must ensure that its evangelization efforts lead people toward grace rather than push them away. By embodying love in our mission, we open hearts to the truth of Christ and His Church.

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com

Book on parish revitalization and gowth:

BOOK – Revive and Thrive: Transforming Parishes into Mission Driven Communities provides a blueprint to breathe new life into parish communities and engage in the core principles of evangelization and disciple-making.

Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:

Prayers and Prayer Groups to Support the Evangelization Project

Learn more

DONATE for the Evangelization Project

Learn more

ARTICLE – Grace and Common Sense

The Catholic Church, guided by Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium, calls its members to evangelize and spread the Gospel. Evangelization is not just about proclaiming Church teachings but doing so with love, compassion, and common sense. Jesus Himself demonstrated that practicing faith and sharing God’s truth requires an
ARTICLE – The Message of Jesus: An Invitation to New Life

To genuinely appreciate Jesus’ teachings, we must grasp what he held as most important. By focusing on the heart of his message, we can better understand its profound beauty and communicate it more effectively to others. Jesus’ core message resonated deeply with both those who were far from faith and
ARTICLE – Planting Seeds of Faith and Hope

By learning key verses by heart, we equip ourselves with the very words of Jesus that can touch hearts, offer hope, and invite people into a relationship with Him. At the right moment, a well-spoken verse can bring light to someone’s darkness, encouragement to their struggles, and truth to their

Ticket	Seats Available	Amount CAD	Select	Ticket Amount CAD	Total Amount CAD
				0	0
				0
				0