HANDING ON THE FAITH

Sean Cardinal O'Malley explains why evangelization is at the heart of our faith and that there is a mandate to share the Gospel with the world. Passing on the faith is not an option but an imperative. In every century, believers have to hand on the faith to the next generation and at the same time offer the wisdom of the Church to a world that is content with foolishness. Drawing upon the scriptures, philosophy and literature, he illustrates how this passing on the faith is ultimately God's enterprise. God, however, works through the believers. Every believer, but especially priests and religious, need to become more pliable in the hands of God. Starting with Catholic education, children and adults alike need to be taught the "Why" of our faith as well as the content so that they can defend it and share it. Apologetics needs to be an integral part of our teaching ministry.