At the conclusion of Mass, we are told by the priest to go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. In this new era of evangelization, there are numerous ways to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. When we proclaim the Gospel to others, we allow the light of Christ to shine in the world for those who will accept the Gospel in their hearts and believe in Jesus. We share our Catholic faith in today’s spiritual warfare.
What is the Gospel?
The Gospel is the good news and good tidings of Jesus Christ. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. We believe Jesus came down from heaven for our salvation, suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
We believe that Jesus ascended into heaven, and that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved through Him. This is the good news of Jesus. We can be saved and have eternal life!
What is Spiritual Warfare?
Our spiritual warfare is against the evil spirits who do not want salvation for anyone. The angels of God went through a similar testing before us. Many angels rebelled from God and battled against the good angels who accept and love God (Rev 12:7).
“Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.” Revelation 12:7-8
“The Heaven in which the big battle took place between St. Michael and Satan was not the Heaven of glory and Beatific Vision, but the Heaven of the spirit world during the period of probation; for no sin is possible in the land of the Blessed nor war in the house of peace.” Source: The Angels in Catholic Teaching and Tradition, by Fr. Pascale Parente
The fallen angels who rejected God were cast out of heaven and thrown down here in the known world we live in. This is the battle we are in. We choose to reject the devil, get baptized, and follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior, onto the spiritual battlefield!
What does Spiritual Warfare have to do with Proclamation of the 4 Gospels?
The Gospels of Jesus Christ are meant to be proclaimed to all to the ends of the earth.
The demons seek to destroy the Gospels, and they seek to destroy us. Just as God has prepared a place for us in heaven (Jn 14:3), the devil has prepared a place for us in hell.
“Do not be surprised that, as time goes on, our ancient foe will fight all the harder to wipe out the Christian religion.” – St. Gregory VII, pope
There is no middle ground. There is no idle time. We either follow Jesus in the Gospels and help save souls from the devil, or we reject the mission God has given to each of us as Christian disciples who believe in Him, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8b
More than ever, we please need holy bishops to courageously lead the Catholic Church in the Holy Name of Jesus against the gates of hell, the devil, and his demons.
This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1
We need ordained priests to proclaim the Gospel at Mass and to teach the flock.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2
We need fathers to be a St. Joseph in their households. The family that prays together stays together.
Fathers, bring your children up with the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4b
We need mothers to be a St. Mary in their households. They should make sure every member of the family is protected with sacramentals.
And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Luke 1:46-47
We need our children to be catechized at home in the Catholic faith we proclaim.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. Luke 2:52
We need the laity, the sleeping giant, to live for the Gospel instead of themselves.
Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20b
It all starts with Jesus Our Lord. We follow Him on the spiritual battlefield and help save souls. We find Jesus in the Eucharist and the sacraments of the Church. We pray to Him unceasingly. We live in His Word, and we proclaim His love for us to others.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Luke 4:18
Proclaim the 4 Gospels of Jesus Christ +
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39