Introduction
In the final chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus issues a clear directive to his followers: “Go, therefore, and Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This “Great Commission” serves as the foundational mandate for the Church’s mission. Within the Catholic tradition, this call to “go out” is understood and lived in two distinct, yet interconnected, ways: through acts of charity and social justice, and through the explicit proclamation of the Gospel message. While both are essential, they are not identical, and the richness of Catholic teaching lies in understanding their proper relationship.
The Catholic Who Does Good Deeds: A Witness of Love
A Catholic who “goes out” and engages in good deeds, social projects, and neighborhood assistance is living out a crucial aspect of the Christian vocation. This individual is a witness to the love of Christ through their actions. By feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and working for a more just society, they are encountering Christ in the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
The motivation for these actions, from a Catholic perspective, is rooted in the inherent dignity of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God. Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), emphasizes that charitable activity is not merely a form of social work but an essential expression of the Church’s nature. It is a response to God’s love and a way of sharing that love with others. This form of “going out” prepares the soil for the seed of the Gospel to be planted. It builds bridges of trust and demonstrates the tangible love and compassion that the Christian faith inspires.
The Catholic Who Evangelizes: A Messenger of Truth
The Catholic who “goes out and evangelizes” to make disciples takes the Great Commission a step further by explicitly sharing the person and message of Jesus Christ. This involves not only the witness of a charitable life but also the courage to proclaim the kerygma—the core message of the Gospel: that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered, died, and rose from the dead for the salvation of humanity.
Pope Paul VI, in his seminal apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World), stated, “There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed.” This explicit proclamation is seen as a direct fulfillment of Jesus’ command to “make disciples” and to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
This form of outreach can take many forms, from personal conversations with friends and family to participation in parish-based evangelization teams, apologetics, and catechesis. It is a conscious effort to invite others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and full communion with his Church.
The Crucial Difference: From Good Works to Gospel Proclamation
The fundamental difference between these two approaches lies in the explicitness of the message. While good works can be a powerful and necessary form of pre-evangelization, they do not, in themselves, constitute the entirety of the Great Commission. The Gospel message must, at some point, be articulated.
Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), highlights this distinction. He warns against a “social activism” that can be mistaken for authentic evangelization. While he strongly advocates for serving the poor and working for justice, he insists that this must be accompanied by the proclamation of the Gospel. He writes, “We must not believe that the Gospel is to be preached only when it is convenient; on the contrary, the Lord asks us to preach the good news to all peoples, in every time and in every place.”
Infusing All Works with the Gospel: The Integrated Catholic Vision
The ideal, according to Catholic teaching, is not to choose between good works and evangelization but to integrate them. Every act of charity and every effort for social justice should be animated by the love of Christ and, when the opportunity arises, lead to a conversation about the source of that love.
This integration is beautifully articulated in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document, “Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States.” The document outlines three key goals for evangelization:
- To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.
- To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith.
- To foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good.
This framework illustrates the holistic vision of Catholic mission. A Catholic who helps a neighbor in need does so not merely out of humanitarian concern, but because they see the face of Christ in that person. This interior disposition, this “why” behind the action, transforms the good deed into a witness. And from that authentic witness, the conversation about faith can naturally and compellingly flow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Catholic understanding of the Great Commission is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of both action and proclamation. The Catholic who performs good deeds builds the foundation of love and trust, while the Catholic who evangelizes explicitly builds upon that foundation with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The challenge for every Catholic is to be a person of both profound charity and courageous proclamation, ensuring that their every action is an opportunity to bring the light and truth of the Gospel into the world.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post