This past week, Pope Benedict stated that it is unacceptable to evangelize without addressing the urgent problems of poverty, injustice, and oppression, according to Catholic News Service. The report when on to say that to not be concerned with life's temporal problems would be to forget the Gospel teaching to love one's neighbor who is suffering and in need and "it would not be in harmony with Jesus' life," which combined proclaiming the Good News and curing people of disease and illness. It's a reminder to all of us that we should proclaim the gospel not just be telling people about our faith, but also by witnessing to the faith by our efforts to alleviate suffering and working for justice.
The pope made these remarks in his message for World Mission Sunday 2011, to be celebrated on October 23, 2011. At this time, the text of his message is only available in Italian; however, the Catholic News Service story is available in English at http://bit.ly/fumZzR.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.
