Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation

James Peter

 “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since ‘no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.’” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 3)

These were the opening remarks from Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel.  This remarkable and insightful document encourages us to recognise the joy found in accepting and responding to the Gospel message, a joy found through deep encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.  The document is practical and pastoral, inviting each of us to reflect upon how we can take up again the spreading of the good news, the joy of our faith, with enthusiasm and vitality.

Such joy may seem far away from the sufferings which beset our Church at present, as Pope Francis recognises,

“There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is… But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness… It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam 3:17, 21-23, 26).

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