PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS
The Church’s mission to evangelize all nations is deeply rooted in Scripture and Tradition, reflecting God’s universal plan of salvation. This divine mandate is evident from the very origins of humanity and finds its fulfillment in Christ’s redemptive work.
In the Book of Genesis, we learn that all nations originated from Noah’s sons after the Great Flood. The Bible states, “These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their origins and by their nations. From these, the nations of the earth branched out after the flood” (Gen 10:32). The diversity of nations and languages emerged as a consequence of human pride at Babel, where God intervened to scatter humanity across the earth (Gen 11:1-9).
Despite this dispersion, God’s love for all humanity remained constant. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms, “The covenant with Noah remains in force during the times of the Gentiles, until the universal proclamation of the Gospel” (CCC 58). This covenant underscores God’s enduring commitment to all peoples, foreshadowing the universal mission of the Church.
The New Testament reveals how Christ’s salvific work embraces all nations. Jesus’ Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, explicitly commands the disciples to “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” (Mt 28:19-20). This mandate is not merely a suggestion but a core aspect of the Church’s identity and mission.
The Catholic Church understands this commission as an ongoing task. The Second Vatican Council’s decree on missionary activity, ‘Ad Gentes’, emphasizes, “The Church on earth is by its very nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, it has its origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (AG 2). This missionary nature is intrinsic to the Church’s identity and purpose.
The urgency of evangelization is further underscored by Christ’s words in Matthew’s Gospel: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mt 24:14). The Church interprets this not as a reason for fear but as a call to action and hope.
The early Church took this mission seriously, with the apostles and disciples spreading the Gospel throughout the known world. The Acts of the Apostles recounts the rapid expansion of the early Christian community, from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
REFLECTION
As Christians today, we are called to continue this mission of evangelization. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation ‘Evangelii Gaudium’, reminds us, “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples” (EG 120). This call extends to every Catholic, inviting us to share the Good News in our daily lives and communities.
The message for us as Christians is clear: we are all called to participate in the Church’s mission of evangelization. This doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to distant lands, but rather living out our faith authentically and sharing it with those around us. We are called to be witnesses to Christ’s love in our families, workplaces, and communities.
As we engage in this mission, we must remember that evangelization is not about imposing our beliefs on others but about sharing the joy and hope we have found in Christ. It involves both words and actions, as we strive to embody the love and mercy of God in our interactions with others.
In conclusion, the Church’s mission to preach the Gospel to all nations is a continuation of Christ’s own ministry and a fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity. As members of the Church, we are all called to participate in this mission, sharing the Good News with love, respect, and humility, trusting in Christ’s promise to be with us always, “until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).