Recently I interviewed Jeff Cavins, Director of Evangelisation & Catechesis with Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in the United States, and creator of the hugely successful ‘Great Adventure Bible Timeline’ for the Jesuits in Ireland website. I was particularly struck by the passion Jeff has for his work in Catechesis and Evangelisation. “What is called for in the new evangelisation is a new authenticity to truly walk as disciples of Jesus, not to walk around just telling people what you believe or what your theology is, but to literally demonstrate Christ – to allow his love to flow through you to impact other people”, according to Jeff. He explained that leading with mercy, love and compassion is at the heart of the work of evangelisation; and said the upcoming Year of Mercy in the Church is a unparalleled opportunity for Catholics to walk in mercy and “to give the world an opportunity to the world to come closer to Christ through our words and actions, invitation, and warmth”.
“Catholicism is not just about learning theology and doctrine and dogmas, and it’s not just about all of us getting together and going to Mass. Those are all critical, they’re all important but we always have to keep in mind that God loves you individually”, Jeff says. When it comes to reading the bible, he recommends exercises as Lectio Divina – divine reading of scripture that offers people the opportunity to hear from God personally on a day to day basis. People are really craving this opportunity he says, “they really want to know does exist, does he really care, does he have a plan for my life”.
Jeff emphasised the importance of using the simple language of love in the new evangelisation. Speaking in philosophical or theological terms to the average working man or woman and especially young people is “like speaking a foreign language” he remarked. According to Jeff what people connect with is authenticity. “They understand compassion, forgiveness and mercy. They understand when someone is living the life of Christ it is different than what they see on TV, what they see in the movies, in literature today”, he said. To listen to the interview use the media player below.
