The Joy of the Gospel

I haven't been blogging much of late. There have been several reasons for my absence from the world of cyber journaling. First of all, I have been visited of late by an old friend – a pinched nerve in my neck. It is causing me to refrain from too much sitting. I can recline and I can stand. Sitting, however, is painful. Last week I started returning to the physical therapist for help with this situation.

Secondly, the Gospel readings for our liturgies during the past week have been repetitious. This happens every third year when we read from St. Luke's Gospel on Sunday as well as the last weeks of the liturgical year. There is only so much that can be said about apocalyptic literature. It all comes down to two points as far as I am concerned. First of all the sacred writer is reporting what is going on in his present reality. He is not prophesying about the future. Secondly, the conclusion of all apocalyptic literature is very clear; ie., God will triumph over evil. We have to live with the evil that surrounds us with the realization that God will prevail.

Finally, Pope Francis published an apostolic exhortation last Tuesday. I have been reading it a little bit at a time, trying to make it my own. The little bit that I have already read and prayed with has given me just what Pope Francis is writing about: The Joy of the Gospel.

As we begin a new liturgical year this Sunday, I have decided to share with you the thoughts and the fruits of my meditations on this apostolic exhortation. If you have been reading my blog for some time, you have already walked through the lectionary with me four times. This document from Rome gives me something new about which to write. I hope you will welcome this new direction.

Pope Francis begins thus: 1. 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. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church's journey in years to come.

We have all probably heard the term "new evangelization." This encouraging document makes clear that it is not the message that is new; rather it is a matter of hearing the message again and letting it open our hearts to a new direction. It is the Holy Father's contention that each time I open myself to the message I will find a new reason to be joyful. This joy will open the possibility of following Jesus in a new and engaging journey. While I may find new things to be uncomfortable, the real danger is becoming complacent. Better to be uncomfortable than to be so complacent that we don't even recognize the familiar voice of God in our lives.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator