Happiness…

6th Missionary Day

The Father is the source of joy. The Son is its manifestation, and the Holy Spirit is the animator. Immediately after praising the Father – as the evangelist Matthew says – Jesus invites us: «Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.»Mt (11, 28-30). «The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who let themselves be saved by Him are freed from sin, sadness, inner emptiness, and isolation. With Jesus Christ, joy is constantly reborn»… Why don’t we also enter into this torrent of joy?

«"The great risk of the modern world, with its multiple and overwhelming consumer offerings, is an individualistic sadness that springs from a complacent and petty heart, from the disordered pursuit of superficial pleasures, from an isolated conscience." Therefore, humanity has a great need to quench its thirst in the salvation brought by Christ. The disciples are those who allow themselves to be conquered more and more by the love of Jesus and marked by the fire of passion for the Kingdom of God, to be bearers of the joy of the Gospel. All the Lord's disciples are called to nourish the joy of evangelization.

The joy of the Gospel springs from encountering Christ and sharing with the poor. Therefore, I encourage parish communities, associations, and groups to live an intense fraternal life, founded on love for Jesus and attentive to the needs of the most vulnerable. Where there is joy, fervor, and a desire to bring Christ to others, genuine vocations arise, especially lay vocations to mission. In reality, awareness of the identity and mission of the lay faithful in the Church has increased, as has the understanding that they are called to assume an increasingly important role in spreading the Gospel. Therefore, adequate formation for them is important, with a view to effective apostolic action.

 (Pope Francis, message for the year 2014)