EVANGELII GAUDIUM - page 136

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judgments about their responsibility and culpa-
bility (cf.
Mt
7:1;
Lk
6:37). Someone good at such
accompaniment does not give in to frustrations
or fears. He or she invites others to let them-
selves be healed, to take up their mat, embrace
the cross, leave all behind and go forth ever anew
to proclaim the Gospel. Our personal experi-
ence of being accompanied and assisted, and of
openness to those who accompany us, will teach
us to be patient and compassionate with others,
and to find the right way to gain their trust, their
openness and their readiness to grow.
173. Genuine spiritual accompaniment always
begins and flourishes in the context of service to
the mission of evangelization. Paul’s relationship
with Timothy and Titus provides an example of
this accompaniment and formation which takes
place in the midst of apostolic activity. Entrust-
ing them with the mission of remaining in each
city to “put in order what remains to be done”
(
Tit
1:5; cf.
1 Tim
1:3-5), Paul also gives them
rules for their personal lives and their pastoral
activity. This is clearly distinct from every kind
of intrusive accompaniment or isolated self-re-
alization. Missionary disciples accompany mis-
sionary disciples.
Centred on the word of God
174. Not only the homily has to be nourished
by the word of God. All evangelization is based
on that word, listened to, meditated upon, lived,
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