The Joy of the Gospel!



"THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus."

~Pope Francis, "Evangelii Gaudium," #1

Ave Maria!  Yesterday, November 26, the Vatican released the first extensive piece of writing by Pope Francis.  It is an apostolic exhortation, which is one of the most authoritative categories of papal documents.  Called "Evangelii Gaudium," meaning "The joy of the Gospel," it is the Holy Father's first major document, and it demands our careful attention.  Salt + Light provides an excellent summary of "Evangelii Gaudium" here, but nothing replaces reading and contemplating the actual entire document itself, which can be found on the Vatican Web site here.  Dear Readers, let me encourage you to do precisely this by sharing with you these opening words of Pope Francis, an invitation "to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ" that will surely renew a steadfast spirit within us and restore in us the joy of HIS salvation (Psalm 51[50]:12, 15).

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”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!  ~Pope Francis, "Evangelii Gaudium", #3

 Behold, I make all things new.  ~Revelation 21:5

 

 

P.S.  I'm sure that "Evangelii Gaudium" is available from various booksellers on the Web.  One I know of is the Catholic Company, as you will see here. 

UPDATE:  We can pre-order "Evangelii Gaudium" from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops here for $13.95.