The Kerygma

Rarely do I use words that are too long, archaic, or difficult to pronounce. Yet there are some words that are packed with such power and meaning that to use anything else would simply be inadequate.

Kerygma is a Greek term used to describe the preaching of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The kerygma is much more than just describing distant events of the past. Rather, the kerygma is the dynamic sharing of how God has loved each of us into existence; that the very Word of God spoken at Creation, Jesus Christ, became man and for our salvation, was nailed to the wood of the Cross. This same Jesus rose from the grave after the third day of death -- this is testified by eyewitnesses. The Spirit of God has been sent into the world in order to breath life and to enliven the community of Jesus' followers.

Death has lost its sting! Sin has been forgiven! Those of us who have encountered this profound love are compelled to share such a transformative experience with all who will listen. 

St. Paul, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, proclaims the kerygma in this way: "My brothers...to us the this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us..." (Acts 13:26-33).

The Apostles and the first disciples constantly preached this Good News to all. Those of us who are disciples of Jesus Christ today must also preach this Good News! Our task is to continuously share the kerygma in new and exciting ways so that our friends, family, acquaintances, and even complete strangers might be introduced to Jesus Christ and encounter the Lord of life and love. 

The kerygma has the ability to transform hearts and change the world. In faith, hope, and love, we preach Christ crucified and risen through our spoken words, our deeds, our constancy in prayer...and perhaps even through blog posts!