In Matthew 3:13-17, we see Jesus introduced to the world by the Father’s voice and the Spirit’s descent. In the Preface for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we say to the Father: “Your Spirit was seen as a dove, revealing Jesus as your servant.” 

We who “become Christ” by Baptism need to be identified and introduced to the world in the same way. It is not enough that the Father, speaking through the Church, claims us as his children and Jesus gives us his name as Christians. It also must be visible to others that God is “anointing us” with his Spirit to do for the world what Jesus came to do. We, as Christ’s body on earth, are “sent to bring to the poor the good news of salvation.” All of us.  

Pope Paul VI said the Church “exists to evangelize.” That means you and I exist to evangelize. We are the Church. If we are not evangelizing, we are not being “faithful to our calling.” We are not living up to our identity. We are not being authentically what we are. 

This calls us to discipleship—not to just “following Jesus,” which is what people commonly assume it means to be a “disciple.” A disciple is a “student.” If we are not committed students of the mind and heart of Christ as revealed in his words, we are simply not disciples. And we are not equipped to evangelize. 

When the Father introduced Jesus as his “beloved Son,” the second time—when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain—Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say he added the words, “Listen to him.” The point is clear: If we have been properly introduced to Jesus, we will be listening to him; that is, to his words. In this age of literacy, to “listen” includes to read. So, if we are listening, we are reading Scripture. If we are not reading Scripture, we are not listening. And if we are not listening, we do not know Jesus Christ. 

Strong words. In the Second Vatican Council, the Church made them her own by quoting St. Jerome: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” If we are ignorant of Christ, we have not heard the Good News. And so, the Church “earnestly and specifically urges all the Christian faithful… to learn by frequent reading of the divine Scripture the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ.” Until we do, we cannot evangelize others, because we have not been evangelized ourselves.  

Is it any wonder that four of the last popes have called for a “new evangelization”? We know what is wrong. We know why Christians are not having as much effect on the world as we should have. We just need to do something about it. 

Some Christians are transforming the world. We have an impressive number of modern saints, heroes, and martyrs who are “bringing to the poor the good news of salvation.” Many of them are rich themselves, but are sharing their time, talents, and resources with others in need. The question is, what have you done to spread the Good News? What are you doing? What will you do? And what are you doing to prepare yourself? 

Prayer Prompt: Read Scripture every day, reflect deeply on it, and live what you read. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #21, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.