Joy of the Gospel
I have not been in the habit of reading Vatican documents assiduously; but I think the recent one, “Joy of the Gospel,” should probably be required reading. We in the West are often short of joy; whereas Africans, even in the midst of their present mourning for Mandela, can teach us how to rejoice. This latest document from Pope Francis is overflowing with joy, which compels us to spread it abroad. Below are some lines that have this strong appeal and point to the coming joy of Christmas:
“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew….
“(N)o one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord… (who) 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…. “How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost!….. He has forgiven us seventy times seven. 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….
“All creation shares in the joy of salvation: ‘Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth! Break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones’ (Is. 49:13).
“I have said these things to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11).
“This is the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life, as a response to the loving invitation of God our Father: ‘My child, treat yourself well, according to your means… Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment’ (Sir 14:11, 14). What tender paternal love echoes in these words!
“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… (And) “if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others” as we light the Advent candles?
