“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” (Evangelii Gaudium 1). These words from Pope Francis, penned in the first year of his pontificate, truly were an apostolic exhortation to all of us in the Church: understand that the Good News of Jesus Christ is one of abundant joy!
We have heard this before, surely. We know we are not talking about an emotion, or a feeling. We are talking about a fruit of the Spirit. A fruit whose seed may be sown through knowledge of Jesus and his mission, but whose growth and flourishing occurs in the rich soil of a life of faith. Through the Holy Spirit we encounter the Divine Person of Christ, who forgives us and sets us free from sin. Our life then takes on a new direction animated by a relationship with God and the resultant pursuit of the good. All of this, together, bears fruit that is joy.
Thus, it is no surprise that, in the Gospel, after Jesus ascended to heaven before his disciples, the disciples immediately went back to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God in the temple unceasingly. After everything they have seen, they are driven to be persons full of joy and praise. They have seen and interacted with the risen Christ and now they have seen him glorified in his ascension, knowing of the promises he has made and fulfilled. Their encounters with – their relationship with – Jesus has transformed them, and through the grace of the Holy Spirit this transformation has borne great fruit.
The joy of the disciples is the type of joy that Pope Francis is referring to in his apostolic exhortation. It echoes and reflects the words of his predecessor: “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus caritas est). It sets us free from the chains of sin. It comforts us in our sorrow. It fills our inner emptiness and loneliness.
We are also sent forth in this joy. It drives us to accompany those who feel cast in the shadow of sin. It shows us the way to be God’s merciful presence in the world. It compels us to be with those who are suffering or in sorrow. It is what gives us strength to be with those who feel emptiness or loneliness for whatever reason. When we do these things, something new is created. To follow God’s way is to renew ourselves in the joy of the Gospel. We are disciples with joy to bring. To truly evangelize in this world, we must start by bringing joy to others. This joy is inexhaustible.
We are not alone on this journey. The Eucharist, our holy feast, renews our joy with God’s real presence with us. May we give thanks and praise God unceasingly.
(Fr. Michał Pająk, OMI, June 1, 2025)
