Pope Francis, speaking at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, delivered a catechesis on the theme of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He underscored that these fruits emerge through the cooperation of grace and our free will. Among them, he particularly emphasized joy. This joy, the Pope explained, shines most vividly in bearing witness to the Gospel and sharing with others the love that has brought purpose and renewal to our lives.
“Unlike the charisms, which the Spirit gives to whom He wants and when He wants for the good of the Church, the fruits of the Spirit, I repeat – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – are the result of cooperation between grace and our freedom. 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 Jesus joy is constantly born anew. There will be sad moments at times, but there is always peace. With Jesus there is joy and peace. The joy of the Gospel, evangelical joy, unlike any other joy, can be renewed every day and become contagious. Thanks solely to this encounter or renewed encounter with God’s love, which blossoms into an enriching friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self-absorption. Here we find the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelization. For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?. It is the dual characteristic of joy as fruit of the Spirit: not only is it not subject to the inevitable wear of time, but it multiplies when it is shared with others! A true joy is shared with others; it even spreads. The word Gospel means glad tidings. Therefore, it cannot be communicated with a long face and sombre countenance, but with the joy of those who have found the hidden treasure and the precious pearl. Remember Saint Paul’s exhortation to the believers of the Church of Philippi, which he now addresses to us all, and which we heard at the beginning: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.”
