FIVE YEARS OF POPE FRANCIS
March 13, 2013 - the day Pope Francis took on the divine mandate of leading the People of God. It has been five years and there are FIVE strong orientations that this wonderful person of God has given the Church and the world.
1. JOY - the centre of Christian life
Right from the beginning Pope Francis has been harping upon one theme: Joy! Without Joy you cannot think of a Christian according to Pope Francis. I have said all these that your joy may be full, said the Lord and Pope Francis holds that close to his heart. He wants the Church to be a beacon of hope and joy to the world. He wishes every Christian is filled with joy and fills the world with that same joy. If your faith cannot offer you, those around you and to the society at large a joy that can fill lives, your faith has to be questioned! The Word of God is a Good News and it has to be gladly proclaimed, joyfully lived, eagerly received and lovingly shared... the Joy of the Gospel has to fill the hearts of every person on earth and it is the responsibility of every Christian to take this forward.
There are challenges that abound, but nothing can take this Joy away if it is truly Christian because Jesus has promised us: I give you a joy that no one can take away from you! A Joy that is truly Christian cannot be wiped away by pain or loss or suffering or persecution, not even death! That is the kind of Joy we need to possess if we need to show the world that our faith is real.
There are challenges that abound, but nothing can take this Joy away if it is truly Christian because Jesus has promised us: I give you a joy that no one can take away from you! A Joy that is truly Christian cannot be wiped away by pain or loss or suffering or persecution, not even death! That is the kind of Joy we need to possess if we need to show the world that our faith is real.
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