“Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium has produced significant reaction and commentary, both positive and negative. Many in the media have focused on the social, political, and economic implications of the document. Sadly, most commentators have looked past the obvious: the second word of the text and the title: joy. ‘The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus’ (EG 1).
“Joy is such a central aspect of our faith. Unless we are filled with joy, we have no message of Christ to bring to the world. The accounts of the martyrs throughout history are full of descriptions of them going to their deaths with great rejoicing and full of joy. Joy reorients us away from our self-focused lives and onto what is really important. Mother Teresa used the acronym JOY as an aid to remind us of the proper ordering of the importance of things: Jesus, Others, You.”
In a recent commentary, Brother Nicholas Schneider, O.P., reflected on the importance of joy, one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, in living our faith and on how joy, that is rooted in Christ’s love, is overflowing and contagious at all times and in all situations.
To access Br. Nicholas’ complete post, please visit:
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