EVANGELII GAUDIUM - page 3

3
1. T
he
joy
of
the
gospel
fills the hearts and
lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who ac-
cept his offer of salvation are set free from sin,
sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With
Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Ex-
hortation I wish to encourage the Christian faith-
ful to embark upon a new chapter of evangeliza-
tion marked by this joy, while pointing out new
paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.
I. A
joy
ever new
,
a
joy which
is
shared
2. The great danger in today’s world, pervaded
as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and an-
guish born of a complacent yet covetous heart,
the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and
a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior
life becomes caught up in its own interests and
concerns, there is no longer room for others,
no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer
heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt,
and the desire to do good fades. This is a very
real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to
it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That
is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is
not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spir-
it which has its source in the heart of the risen
Christ.
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