Hope and Joy

The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives

of all who encounter Jesus. – Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis

I have been neglecting my blog for quite some time.  This has been somewhat intentional and, at times, it has been a reflection of the busy-ness of my life.  This past week, I joined a men’s group that has taken upon the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, as a study.  Our first week, we studied just the introduction.  Though this discussion took place two days ago, I still find myself reflecting upon the passage that we read. 

This document is about evangelization.  This should not be a surprise.  However, this does not mean that the document does not have practical purpose and insight for all people without regard to religious preference.  Pope Francis openly declares in this introduction that evangelization “is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him” (14). 

I believe there are two major themes of the introduction to this exhortation.  The first theme is that our world has allowed technology to increase the accessibility of pleasure but technology cannot be the source of joy.  The second theme is well defined:  “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” (6). 

One of the great tragedies of the modern era has been the degrading of language.  Joy has become nearly synonymous with happy.  At best, it has become a superlative of happy but this cannot be authentic or true.  Happy is an emotion that can change to sadness and never the twain shall meet.  These are distinct emotions that find their expression in feeling.  We can alternate between the two quite rapidly but never experience them at the same time.  The action of joy is to rejoice.  The Christian can rejoice in sorrow, sadness, or even suffering.  The early Christians even found happiness in suffering.  There can be joy with sadness or sorry but one cannot be happy and sad simultaneously.

So what does this mean for me?  This has been more than a question on the table during a discussion.  My reflections over the past few days have been essentially the same.  I have been diving in to the depths of joy and wondering how can I be formed to live joy to the fullest in my life, all day and every day. 

I’ve been trying to remember my state of mind when I first wake up in the morning.  Am I rejoicing in the creation of the day?  Am I thankful for the first breath of air or the sunrise (or today’s rain)?  Do I rejoice in having a job that allows me to live in modest comfort?  I reflected on how I carry myself in the office.  When I walk into the office, I try to remember that how people perceive me begins with how I present myself in the morning.  This thought helps me to recollect myself and to prepare myself to encounter the day. 

The introduction to Evangelii Gaudium also notes that all people “have a right to receive the Gospel” (14).  This right is often deprived from many people because of the lukewarm nature of the average Christian.  But what is this Gospel?  What is this good news?  The truth of the Gospel has never changed.  Jesus came, suffered, died and rose again.  The last part seems to be very difficult for many people.  Because Jesus rose from the dead establishes for us that those who die in Christ will also share in his resurrection.  This the source of Christian hope. 

In a sense, a person cannot have hope without the resurrection of Jesus.  The modern definition of hope is to expect with confidence.  However, when one states something to the effect of I hope I have a good day, or I hope so-and-so is feeling better, we are essentially expressing a wish and not a confident expectation.  Hope has a supernatural component that requires faith to move forward.  Hope is not self-efficacious because then it cannot be hope.  If my heart stops, I cannot will it to start again.  I can hope it starts again.  The will of God may use a person to start my heart or he may use a miracle.  But that is hope. 

Hope and joy are linked eternally.  They both find their source and fulfillment in God.  Hope and joy are best received by our participation in them with God.  All persons are capable of faith, hope and love.  However, the Christian cannot waver in these.  Any indication of the other will lead to a perception of hypocrisy and this is a tool of the enemy to undermine the reality of God’s love.  God’s love does not require our perfection but it does require our effort.  I will never be perfect, but I pray that I will never cease to will to be perfected in my Christian charity. 

I will for the conversion of all people, especially those who already identify as Christian.  I recognize that my evangelization cannot begin until I begin to love others more deeply that I always demonstrate that I only want what is good for them as opposed to what is convenient for me.