New Evangelization in The Digital Age

Just sharing my reflection of a small portion of Pope Benedict’s Message for the 45th World Communications Day…



“The task of witnessing to the Gospel in the digital era calls for everyone to be particularly attentive to the aspects of that message which can challenge some of the ways of thinking typical of the web.


First of all, we must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its “popularity” or from the amount of attention it receives.


We must make it known in its integrity, instead of seeking to make it acceptable or diluting it.


It must become daily nourishment and not a fleeting attraction. The truth of the Gospel is not something to be consumed or used superficially; rather it is a gift that calls for a free response.


Even when it is proclaimed in the virtual space of the web, the Gospel demands to be incarnated in the real world and linked to the real faces of our brothers and sisters, those with whom we share our daily lives.”


What struck me most as a Catholic Christian blogger is the immense responsibility to truly be a genuine witness for Jesus Christ – always practicing a cyber form of radical discipleship on the web.


This call from the Pope is for everyone, be it an amateur blogger like me or some other much more sophisticated blog guru.


What ought to be important is not how many people “like” your blog or how many “followers” your blog attracts but it is a constant quest, on our part, to share the true un-watered-down good news of Jesus Christ.

As humble instruments of Christ, we must be sustained by the Word of God and continue to gently “break open” the Word for the world at large – so that the Word becomes relevant and alive, reaching the minds and penetrating the hearts of humanity…simply and quietly.

Together as one Catholic Christians cyber-community, let us make good use of our presence to share the gift of Jesus Christ in the digital world, as we continue to be sustained by the prayers and Apostolic Blessings from Pope Benedict XVI.