Since we are about to begin a year devoted to the theme of evangelization it may be helpful to review what recent research into Vincent reveals about his understanding of evangelization.
Continuing his “Reflections of a Translator” series, Charles Plock shares what he has learned about Vincent’s developing concept of evangelization as well as some questions this development poses for us..
A New Evangelization
My work/ministry as a translator has provided me with a new perspective on the Vincentian Family and it is in light of this reality that I continue to share with you these reflections.
In my first reflection which was posted on this site earlier in the year, I referred to the different ways in which our service on behalf of those who are poor defines our mission. This was followed by a reflection on Vincent’s and Louise’s understanding of the poor, a concept which was expanded as a result of various experiences.
In this new reflection I would like to continue to reflect with you on the theme of evangelization.
I begin by focusing on the years 1611-1616. It was at that time that Vincent de Paul experienced a crisis of faith. He passed through a period of profound darkness and all his previous beliefs were called into question. Inspired by God, Vincent found relief when he made a firm and an irrevocable decision to dedicate the remainder of his life to the process of evangelizing the poor country people. Soon thereafter we find Vincent ministering in the parish of Clichy which was followed by ministry to the de Gondi family and the many people on their lands. This ministry was interrupted while Vincent served as pastor in Châtillon.
In all of these instances Vincent’s concept of evangelization was broadened but it is quite clear that from the very beginning Vincent viewed evangelization in a holistic manner, that is, he viewed it as a process which involved the whole person, body and spirit. Therefore when speaking with the members of the Confraternities Vincent understood that it could be easy for them to focus on people’s physical needs, and so he told them: Because the aim of this organization [the Confraternity of Charity] is not only to assist poor persons corporally, but spiritually as well, the Servants of the Poor will strive and take great pains to dispose those who seem to be approaching death, to die well. They will arrange their visit for this purpose and pray often for that, making some little elevation of their hearts to God for this intention (CCD:XIIIb:14).
Then, while speaking to the Daughters of Charity who encountered people in various situations of desperation, Vincent felt the need to be more explicit about their ministry: Do you think, Sisters, that God expects you simply to bring His poor persons a piece of bread, a little meat, some soup, and some medicine? Oh no, Sisters! that was not his plan in choosing you from all eternity to render Him the services you do for Him in the person of the poor. He expects you to provide for their spiritual needs as well as for those of the body. They need heavenly manna; they need the Spirit of God(CCD:IX:189).
When speaking to the Missionaries who might be tempted to view their ministry as one of tending to spiritual needs of people, Vincent stated: If there are any among us who think they are in the Mission to evangelize poor people but not to alleviate their sufferings, to take care of their spiritual needs but not their temporal ones, I reply that we have to help them and have them assisted in every way, by us and by others, if we want to hear those pleasing words of the Sovereign Judge of the living and the dead, “Come, beloved of my Father; possess the kingdom that has been prepared for you, because I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was naked and you clothed me; sick and you assisted me.” To do this is to preach the Gospel by words and by works (CCD:XII:77-78).
Vincent repeatedly spoke about evangelizing the poor in terms of tending to the corporal and spiritual needs of those individuals. The question, however, of the method of evangelization is permanently relevant because evangelizing varies according to the different circumstances of time, place and culture and because it presents a certain challenge to our capacity for discovery and adaptation (Paul VI,Evangelii Nuntiandi, #40). Today in 2012 we are exhorted to view this concept of integral evangelization from the perspective of systemic change which provides us with a framework for organized and effective charity (GA 2010: Synthesis: Creative Fidelity to the Mission, #11). Systemic change involves the interrelationship between proclaiming God’s word, pastoral activities, and engagement with systems that affect the poor (GA 2010: Synthesis: Creative Fidelity to the Mission, #11).
If we, as members of the Vincentian Family, are to respond to this new challenge of evangelization, that we must begin by working together, thus strengthening the bonds that unite us. Initially, the idea of team work sounds very easy to accomplish, but is this really so? Do we involve other branches of the Vincentian Family in our planning? Have we undertaken a serious analysis of our reality in order to understand the situation of those men and women who are poor? What structures can we put in place that will allow us to counteract human trafficking and assure the promotion of life, access to universal health care, care for the environment, the dignity of women and children, the rights of immigrants and participation in civility society (GA 2010, Lines of Action, #5.6)?
Have we changed our way of thinking so that we no longer put the emphasis on “my group”, “my association”, “my project”, “my ministry” but rather think in terms of “our plans”, “our ministry”, “our group”? Are we, brothers and priests and sisters and laymen and laywomen, willing to join together as one so that the Kingdom of God might become more visible in our midst, so that the poor and all people might be able to live with dignity as sons and daughters of God, as brothers and sisters to one another?
Tags: evangelization, Translator, Vincent
