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CHAPTER FIVE
SPIRIT-FILLED EVANGELIZERS
259.âSpirit-filled evangelizers means evangeliz-
ers fearlessly open to the working of the Holy
Spirit.
At Pentecost, the Spirit made the apos-
tles go forth from themselves and turned them
into heralds of Godâs wondrous deeds, capable
of speaking to each person in his or her own
language. The Holy Spirit also grants the cour-
age to proclaim the newness of the Gospel with
boldness (
parrhesÃa
) in every time and place, even
when it meets with opposition. Let us call upon
him today, firmly rooted in prayer, for without
prayer all our activity risks being fruitless and our
message empty. Jesus wants evangelizers who
proclaim the good news not only with words, but
above all by a life transfigured by Godâs presence.
260.âIn this final chapter, I do not intend to
offer a synthesis of Christian spirituality, or to
explore great themes like prayer, Eucharistic ad-
oration or the liturgical celebration of the faith.
For all these we already have valuable texts of
the magisterium and celebrated writings by great
authors. I do not claim to replace or improve
upon these treasures. I simply wish to offer
some thoughts about the spirit of the new evan-
gelization.
261.âWhenever we say that something is âspir-
itedâ, it usually refers to some interior impulse
