In the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis calls the Church to a new chapter of evangelization and invites every Christian to a life of missionary discipleship. Evangelii gaudium reflects on the example of Christ who himself knelt to wash the disciples’ feet. Like Jesus, an evangelizing community becomes involved in the lives of its people; “it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others.”3 The foundation of all our missionary efforts is the truth “that every person is worthy of our giving… because they are God’s handiwork, his creation.”5 God created human beings in his image and likeness, and every person reflects God’s glory: “Every human being is the object of God’s infinite tenderness, and he himself is present in their lives.”6 …the Holy Father proposes a culture of encounter and accompaniment, “standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be.”9 With “patient expectation and apostolic endurance”10 the art of accompaniment “teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5)”11 and to show special preference for the poor, despised, and overlooked Pope Francis reminds us that “among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenseless and innocent among us. The defense of unborn life upholds “the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development.”13 As members of the Church that “goes forth,” we are called to take the first step toward those in need—sharing in their lives, listening to their concerns, offering them both material and spiritual support. Our mission as disciples of Christ Jesus “is at once a passion for Jesus and a passion for his people.”17 For having received the love of Christ, how can we but share that love with others? “The joy of the Gospel is such that it cannot be taken away from us by anyone or anything (cf. Jn 16:22).”18 The evils of our world and challenges within the Church cannot diminish our commitment to missionary discipleship: “With the eyes of faith, we can see the light which the Holy Spirit always radiates in the midst of darkness.”19 Excerpt taken from: www.usccb.org/resources/wwmin-21-evangeli-guadium.pdf For more information go to:
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