The ministry of the word in evangelization

50. The ministry of the word (¹²⁶) is a fundamental element of evangelization. The presence of Christianity amongst different human groups and its living witness must be explained and justified by the explicit proclamation of Jesus Christ the Lord. "There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the Kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, are not proclaimed". (¹²⁷) Those who are already disciples of Jesus Christ also require to be constantly nourished by the word of God so that they may grow in their Christian life. (¹²⁸)

The ministry of the word, within the context of evangelization, transmits Revelation, through the Church, by using human words. These, however, always refer to works: to those which God has done and continues to do, especially in the liturgy; to the witness of Christians; to the transforming action which these Christians achieve, together with so many men of good will, throughout the world. This human word of the Church is the means used by the Holy Spirit to continue dialogue with humanity. He is, in fact, the principle agent of the ministry of the word, the one through whom "the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church—and through her in the world". (¹²⁹)

The ministry of the word is exercised in "different forms". (¹³⁰) The Church, since apostolic times, (¹³¹) in her desire to offer the word of God in the most appropriate manner, has realized this ministry in the most varied of ways. (¹³²) All of these, however, perform the essential and fundamental functions of the ministry of the word itself.