Article – Every Act of Love is Evangelization

September 23, 2024 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

At the heart of evangelization and the Christian life, there must be one unifying intention: to love and help people. This principle is the essence of Christ’s call to His disciples. To love as Christ loves means to extend ourselves in service, compassion, and mercy, bringing others closer to the truth of the Gospel through our actions and words. The act of helping others is not just a suggestion but a mandate from Christ, who exemplified this in His ministry, and continues to be reiterated by the Church through its teachings.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). This powerful verse establishes the intrinsic link between helping others and serving Christ. It reveals that our service to others, particularly those in need, is a direct form of evangelization. By loving and helping those around us, we become instruments of God’s grace, communicating His love through our actions. This call to action is not limited to grand gestures or missionary work in distant lands; it applies to our daily lives, in our families, neighbours, communities, and workplaces. There is always someone we can help, and in doing so, we spread the Gospel.

The Magisterium of the Church consistently echoes this call to love and service. In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis highlights that the heart of evangelization is not in a sterile adherence to doctrine but in a genuine encounter with others. He writes, “The Gospel tells us constantly to run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others, with their physical presence which challenges us, with their pain and their pleas” (Evangelii Gaudium, 88). The Church teaches that evangelization is relational; it is about meeting people where they are and walking with them, offering love, understanding, and practical help. This is where true evangelization takes root—in the soil of compassion and solidarity.

The lives of the saints provide luminous examples of how love and service are inseparable from evangelization. Saints like Mother Teresa of Calcutta dedicated their lives to serving the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Her entire life was a testament to the belief that evangelization happens in the most ordinary of circumstances, by offering love to those most in need. In her hands, a simple act of kindness became a profound act of evangelization, drawing countless souls closer to Christ through her example of selfless love.

We can also love and serve others in a profound way by sharing the Gospel, offering not only material or emotional support, but the life-giving Word of God. When we speak words from the Scriptures, we are not just offering fleeting comfort; we are connecting people to the eternal source of hope and renewal—Jesus Christ Himself. Passages like “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28) can lift the heavy hearts of those who feel overwhelmed, pointing them to the One who carries all burdens.

Sharing the Gospel is like planting seeds of light in the dark soil of a struggling soul. Each Scripture shared is an invitation to encounter the living Christ, the true source of life. When we speak of the peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7) or the love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8), we are helping others see beyond their immediate trials and glimpse the beauty of God’s redemptive plan. Through the Word, we not only offer hope but guide others to the One who promises eternal life, the One who heals the brokenhearted and sets captives free. Our words, infused with the Gospel, become a beacon, lighting the way to Christ, where true peace, joy, and salvation are found.

Evangelization is not an isolated event but a way of life. Every day presents us with opportunities to help someone with our actions or with our words. Whether it’s a gentle word of encouragement, a prayer, a listening ear, a generous gesture, or more tangible assistance, each act of love brings the light of Christ into the world. As St. Paul writes, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Everyone, regardless of status, age, or ability, has the capacity to help someone else. In doing so, we participate in the evangelizing mission of Christ.

In conclusion, at the core of Christian evangelization is the simple yet profound act of loving and helping others. The Word of God points us towards this truth: the heart of the Gospel is love, and love is expressed most powerfully in compassion and service. There is always someone we can help, in word or deed, and each opportunity to help is a way to evangelize. Through acts of love, we draw others to Christ and fulfill the mission He has entrusted to us.

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work

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