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EVANGELI I GAUDIUM© 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Concordat Cum Originali

Published and distributed byPaulines Publishing HouseDaughters of St. Paul2650 F. B. Harrison Street1300 Pasay City, PhilippinesE-mail: edpph@paulines.phWebsite: www.paulines.ph

Second Printing 2014ISBN 978-971-590-770-5

at the service of the Gospel and culture

contents

IntroductIon

I. AJoyEverNew, AJoyWhichIsShared[2-8] 11

II. TheDelightfulandComfortingJoy ofEvangelizing[9-13] 16 Eternalnewness[11-13] 17

III.TheNewEvangelization fortheTransmissionoftheFaith[14-18] 19 Thescopeandlimits ofthisExhortation[16-18] 21

chapter one

tHe cHURcH’s MIssIonARYtRAnsFoRMAtIon [19] 24

I. AChurchWhichGoesForth[20-24] 24 Takingthefirststep, beinginvolvedandsupportive, bearingfruitandrejoicing[24] 26

II. PastoralActivityandConversion[25-33] 27 Anecclesialrenewalwhich cannotbedeferred[27-33] 29

III.FromtheHeartoftheGospel[34-39] 33

IV.AMissionEmbodiedWithin HumanLimits[40-45] 36

V. AMotherwithanOpenHeart[46-49] 40

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chapter two

AMID tHe cRIsIs oF coMMUnALcoMMItMent [50-51] 44

I. SomeChallengesofToday’sWorld[52-75] 45 Notoaneconomyof exclusion[53-54] 46 Notothenewidolatryof money[55-56] 47 Notoafinancialsystem whichrulesratherthan serves[57-58] 48 Nototheinequality whichspawnsviolence[59-60] 49 Someculturalchallenges[61-67] 51 Challengestoinculturating thefaith[68-70] 55 Challengesfromurban cultures[71-75] 57

II. TemptationsFacedbyPastoral Workers[76-109] 60 Yestothechallengeof amissionaryspirituality[78-80] 61 Notoselfishnessand spiritualsloth[81-83] 63 Notoasterilepessimism[84-86] 65 Yestothenewrelationships broughtbyChrist[87-92] 67 Notospiritualworldliness[93-97] 71 Notowarringamong ourselves[98-101] 74 Otherecclesialchallenges[102-109] 75

chapter three

tHe PRocLAMAtIon oF tHe GosPeL [110] 81

I. TheEntirePeopleofGodProclaims theGospel[111-134] 81 Apeopleforeveryone[112-114] 82 Apeopleofmanyfaces[115-118] 83 Weareallmissionary disciples[119-121] 86 Theevangelizingpowerof popularpiety[122-126] 89 Persontoperson[127-129] 92 Charismsattheserviceof acommunionwhich evangelizes[130-131] 94 Culture,thoughtand education[132-134] 95

II. TheHomily[135-144] 96 Theliturgicalcontext[137-138] 97 Amother’sconversation[139-141] 98 Wordswhichsethearts onfire[142-144] 100

III.PreparingtoPreach[145-159] 102 Reverencefortruth[146-148] 102 Personalizingtheword[149-151] 105 Spiritualreading[152-153]107 Aneartothepeople[154-155]109 Homileticresources[156-159] 110

IV.EvangelizationandtheDeeper UnderstandingoftheKerygma[160-175]112 Kerygmaticandmystagogical

catechesis[163-168] 114

Personalaccompaniment inprocessesofgrowth[169-173] 118 Centredonthe wordofGod[174-175] 120

chapter Four

tHe socIAL DIMensIon oFeVAnGeLIZAtIon [176] 122

I. CommunalandSocietalRepercussions oftheKerygma[177-185] 122 Confessionoffaithand commitmenttosociety[178-179]122 Thekingdomandits challenge[180-181] 125 TheChurch’steaching onsocialquestions[182-185] 126

II. TheInclusionofthePoor inSociety[186-216] 129 InunionwithGod, wehearaplea[187-192] 129 FidelitytotheGospel, lestweruninvain[193-196] 133 Thespecialplaceofthepoor inGod’speople[197-201] 135 Theeconomyandthedistribution ofincome[202-208] 139 Concernforthe vulnerable[209-216] 142

III.TheCommonGoodandPeace inSociety[217-237] 146 Timeisgreaterthan space[222-225] 147 Unityprevailsover conflict[226-230] 149

Realitiesaremoreimportant thanideas[231-233] 151 Thewholeisgreaterthan thepart[234-237] 153

IV.SocialDialogueasaContribution toPeace[238-258] 155 Dialoguebetweenfaith,reason andscience[242-243] 157 Ecumenicaldialogue[244-246] 158 RelationswithJudaism[247-249] 160 Interreligiousdialogue[250-254] 161 Socialdialogueinacontextof religiousfreedom[255-258] 164

chapter FIve

sPIRIt-FILLeD eVAnGeLIZeRs [259-261] 167

I. ReasonsforaRenewed MissionaryImpulse[262-283] 168 Personalencounterwiththe savingloveofJesus[264-267] 170 Thespiritualsavourofbeing apeople[268-274] 173 Themysteriousworkingofthe risenChristandhisSpirit[275-280]177 Themissionarypowerof intercessoryprayer[281-283] 181

II. Mary,Motherof Evangelization[284-288] 182 Jesus’gifttohispeople[285-286] 182 Starofthenew evangelization[287-288] 184

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IntRoDUctIon

1.THEJOYOFTHEGOSPELfillstheheartsandlivesofallwhoencounterJesus.Thosewhoaccepthisofferofsalvationaresetfreefromsin,sorrow,inneremptinessandloneliness.WithChristjoyisconstantlybornanew.InthisExhortationIwishtoencouragetheChristian faithful toembarkuponanewchapterofevangelizationmarkedbythisjoy,whilepointingoutnewpathsfortheChurch’sjourneyinyearstocome.

I. A Joy ever new, A Joy Which Is shared

2.Thegreatdanger in today’sworld,pervadedas it is by consumerism, is the desolation andanguishbornofacomplacentyetcovetousheart,thefeverishpursuitoffrivolouspleasures,andabluntedconscience.Wheneverourinteriorlifebecomescaughtupinitsowninterestsandconcerns,thereisnolongerroomforothers,noplaceforthepoor.God’svoiceisnolongerheard,thequietjoyofhisloveisnolongerfelt,andthedesiretodogoodfades.Thisisaveryrealdangerforbelieverstoo.Manyfallpreytoit,andendupresentful,angryandlistless.Thatisnowaytoliveadignifiedandfulfilledlife;itisnotGod’swillforus,norisitthelifeintheSpiritwhichhasitssourceintheheartoftherisenChrist.

3. IinviteallChristians,everywhere,atthisverymoment,toarenewedpersonalencounterwithJesusChrist,oratleastanopennesstolettinghimencounterthem;Iaskallofyoutodothisunfailinglyeachday.Nooneshouldthinkthatthisinvitationisnotmeantforhimorher,since“nooneisexcludedfromthejoy

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broughtbytheLord”.1TheLorddoesnotdisappointthose who take this risk; whenever we take a steptowardsJesus,wecometorealizethatheisalreadythere,waitingforuswithopenarms.NowisthetimetosaytoJesus:“Lord,Ihaveletmyselfbedeceived;inathousandwaysIhaveshunnedyourlove,yethereIamoncemore,torenewmycovenantwithyou.Ineedyou.Savemeonceagain,Lord,takemeoncemoreintoyourredeemingembrace”.Howgooditfeelstocomebacktohimwheneverwearelost!Letmesaythisoncemore:Godnevertiresofforgivingus;wearetheoneswhotireofseekinghismercy.Christ,whotoldustoforgiveoneanother“seventytimesseven”(Mt18:22)hasgivenushisexample:hehasforgivenusseventytimesseven.Timeandtimeagainhebearsusonhisshoulders.Noonecanstripusofthedignitybestoweduponusby thisboundless andunfailing love.Withatendernesswhichneverdisappoints,butisalwayscapableofrestoringourjoy,hemakesitpossibleforustoliftupourheadsandtostartanew.LetusnotfleefromtheresurrectionofJesus,letusnevergiveup,comewhatwill.Maynothinginspiremorethanhislife,whichimpelsusonwards!

4.ThebooksoftheOldTestamentpredictedthatthejoyofsalvationwouldaboundinmessianictimes.The prophet Isaiah exultantly salutes the awaitedMessiah:“Youhavemultipliedthenation,youhaveincreaseditsjoy”(9:3).HeexhortsthosewhodwellonZiontogoforthtomeethimwithsong:“Shoutaloudandsingforjoy!”(12:6).Theprophettellsthosewhohavealreadyseenhimfromafartobringthemessagetoothers:“Getyouuptoahighmountain,Oheraldof

1. PAULVI,ApostolicExhortationGaudeteinDomino(9May1975),22:AAS67(1975),297.

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goodtidingstoZion;liftupyourvoicewithstrength,OheraldofgoodtidingstoJerusalem”(40:9).Allcreationsharesinthejoyofsalvation:“Singforjoy,Oheavens,and exult, O earth! Break forth, O mountains, intosinging!For theLordhascomfortedhispeople,andwillhavecompassiononhissufferingones”(49:13).

Zechariah,lookingtothedayoftheLord,invitesthepeopletoacclaimthekingwhocomes“humbleandridingonadonkey”:“Rejoicegreatly,OdaughterZion!Shoutaloud,OdaughterJerusalem!Lo,yourkingcomestoyou;triumphantandvictoriousishe”(9:9).

PerhapsthemostexcitinginvitationisthatoftheprophetZephaniah,whopresentsGodwithhispeopleinthemidstofacelebrationoverflowingwiththejoyofsalvation.Ifinditthrillingtorereadthistext:“TheLord,yourGodisinyourmidst,awarriorwhogivesyouthevictory;hewillrejoiceoveryouwithgladness,hewillrenewyouinhislove;hewillexultoveryouwithloudsinging,asonadayoffestival”(3:17).

Thisisthejoywhichweexperiencedaily,amidthe little things of life, as a response to the lovinginvitationofGodourFather:“Mychild,treatyourselfwell, according to your means… Do not depriveyourselfoftheday’senjoyment”(Sir14:11,14).Whattenderpaternalloveechoesinthesewords!

5.TheGospel,radiantwiththegloryofChrist’scross,constantlyinvitesustorejoice.Afewexampleswillsuffice.“Rejoice!”istheangel’sgreetingtoMary(Lk1:28).Mary’svisittoElizabethmakesJohnleapfor joy in his mother’s womb (cf. Lk 1:41). In hersong of praise, Mary proclaims: “My spirit rejoicesinGodmySaviour”(Lk1:47).WhenJesusbeginshis

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ministry,Johncriesout:“Forthisreason,myjoyhasbeenfulfilled”(Jn3:29).Jesushimself“rejoicedintheHolySpirit”(Lk10:21).Hismessagebringsusjoy:“Ihavesaidthesethingstoyou,sothatmyjoymaybeinyou,andthatyourjoymaybecomplete”(Jn15:11).OurChristian joydrinksofhisbrimmingheart.Hepromiseshisdisciples:“Youwillbesorrowful,butyoursorrowwillturnintojoy”(Jn16:20).Hethengoesontosay:“ButIwillseeyouagainandyourheartswillrejoice,andnoonewilltakeyourjoyfromyou”(Jn16:22).Thedisciples“rejoiced”(Jn20:20)atthesightoftherisenChrist.IntheActsoftheApostleswereadthatthefirstChristians“atetheirfoodwithgladandgeneroushearts”(2:46).Whereverthediscipleswent,“therewasgreatjoy”(8:8);evenamidpersecutiontheycontinuedtobe“filledwithjoy”(13:52).Thenewlybaptizedeunuch“wentonhiswayrejoicing”(8:39),whilePaul’sjailer“andhisentirehouseholdrejoicedthathehadbecomeabelieverinGod”(16:34).Whyshouldwenotalsoenterintothisgreatstreamofjoy?

6.There are Christians whose lives seem likeLentwithoutEaster.Irealizeofcoursethatjoyisnotexpressedthesamewayatalltimesinlife,especiallyatmomentsofgreatdifficulty.Joyadaptsandchanges,butitalwaysendures,evenasaflickeroflightbornof our personal certainty that, when everything issaidanddone,weare infinitely loved. Iunderstandthegriefofpeoplewhohavetoenduregreatsuffering,yetslowlybutsurelyweallhavetoletthejoyoffaithslowlyreviveasaquietyetfirmtrust,evenamidthegreatestdistress:“Mysoulisbereftofpeace; Ihaveforgottenwhathappinessis…ButthisIcalltomind,andthereforeIhavehope:thesteadfastloveoftheLordneverceases,hismerciesnevercometoanend;theyareneweverymorning.Greatisyourfaithfulness…It

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isgoodthatoneshouldwaitquietlyforthesalvationoftheLord”(Lam3:17,21-23,26).

7.Sometimes we are tempted to find excusesandcomplain,actingasifwecouldonlybehappyifathousandconditionsweremet.Tosomeextentthisisbecauseour“technologicalsocietyhassucceededinmultiplyingoccasionsofpleasure,yethasfounditverydifficulttoengenderjoy”.2IcansaythatthemostbeautifulandnaturalexpressionsofjoywhichIhaveseeninmylifewereinpoorpeoplewhohadlittletoholdonto.Ialsothinkoftherealjoyshownbyotherswho,evenamidpressingprofessionalobligations,wereabletopreserve,indetachmentandsimplicity,aheartfulloffaith.Intheirownway,alltheseinstancesofjoyflowfromtheinfiniteloveofGod,whohasrevealedhimselftousinJesusChrist.InevertireofrepeatingthosewordsofBenedictXVIwhichtakeustotheveryheartoftheGospel:“BeingaChristianisnottheresultofanethicalchoiceoraloftyidea,buttheencounterwithanevent,aperson,whichgiveslifeanewhorizonandadecisivedirection”.3

8.Thankssolelytothisencounter–orrenewedencounter – with God’s love, which blossoms intoan enriching friendship, we are liberated from ournarrowness and self-absorption. We become fullyhumanwhenwebecomemorethanhuman,whenweletGodbringusbeyondourselvesinordertoattainthefullesttruthofourbeing.Herewefindthesourceandinspirationofalloureffortsatevangelization.Forifwehavereceivedthelovewhichrestoresmeaningtoourlives,howcanwefailtosharethatlovewithothers?

2. Ibid.8:AAS67(1975),292.3. EncyclicalLetterDeusCaritasEst(25December2005),1:AAS98(2006),217.

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II. the Delightful and comforting Joy of evangelizing

9.Goodness always tends to spread. Everyauthenticexperienceoftruthandgoodnessseeksbyitsverynaturetogrowwithinus,andanypersonwhohasexperiencedaprofoundliberationbecomesmoresensitivetotheneedsofothers.Asitexpands,goodnesstakesrootanddevelops.Ifwewishtoleadadignifiedandfulfillinglife,wehavetoreachouttoothersandseektheirgood.Inthissense,severalsayingsofSaintPaulwillnotsurpriseus:“TheloveofChristurgesuson”(2Cor5:14);“WoetomeifIdonotproclaimtheGospel”(1Cor9:16).

10.TheGospeloffersusthechancetolivelifeonahigherplane,butwithnolessintensity:“Lifegrowsbybeinggivenaway,anditweakensinisolationandcomfort.Indeed,thosewhoenjoylifemostarethosewholeavesecurityontheshoreandbecomeexcitedby the mission of communicating life to others”.4WhentheChurchsummonsChristianstotakeupthetaskofevangelization,sheissimplypointingtothesourceofauthenticpersonalfulfilment.For“herewediscoveraprofoundlawofreality:thatlifeisattainedandmatures in themeasure that it isofferedup inorder to give life to others. This is certainly whatmissionmeans”.5Consequently,anevangelizermustneverlooklikesomeonewhohasjustcomebackfromafuneral!Letusrecoveranddeepenourenthusiasm,that“delightful and comforting joyof evangelizing,evenwhenitisintearsthatwemustsow…Andmaytheworldofourtime,whichissearching,sometimes

4. FIFTH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE LATIN AMERICAN ANDCARIBBEANBISHOPS,AparecidaDocument,29June2007,360.5. Ibid.

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with anguish, sometimes with hope, be enabled toreceivethegoodnewsnotfromevangelizerswhoaredejected,discouraged,impatientoranxious,butfromministersoftheGospelwhoselivesglowwithfervour,whohavefirstreceivedthejoyofChrist”.6

Eternal newness

11.A renewal of preaching can offer believers,as well as the lukewarm and the non-practising,newjoy inthe faithandfruitfulness intheworkofevangelization.Theheartofitsmessagewillalwaysbethesame:theGodwhorevealedhisimmenselovein the crucified and risen Christ. God constantlyrenewshis faithfulones,whatever their age:“Theyshallmountupwithwingslikeeagles,theyshallrunandnotbeweary,theyshallwalkandnotbefaint”(Is40:31).Christ isthe“eternalGospel” (Rev14:6);he“isthesameyesterdayandtodayandforever”(Heb13:8),yethisrichesandbeautyareinexhaustible.Heis foreveryoungandaconstantsourceofnewness.TheChurchneverfailstobeamazedat“thedepthoftherichesandwisdomandknowledgeofGod”(Rom11:33).SaintJohnoftheCrosssaysthat“thethicketofGod’swisdomandknowledgeissodeepandsobroadthatthesoul,howevermuchithascometoknowofit,canalwayspenetratedeeperwithinit”.7OrasSaintIrenaeuswrites:“Byhiscoming,Christbroughtwithhimallnewness”.8Withthisfreshnessheisalwaysable to renew our lives and our communities, and

6. PAULVI,ApostolicExhortationEvangeliiNuntiandi(8December1975),80:AAS68(1976),75.7. SpiritualCanticle,36,10.8. AdversusHaereses,IV,c.34,n.1:PG7,parsprior,1083:“Omnemnovitatemattulit,semetipsumafferens”.

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eveniftheChristianmessagehasknownperiodsofdarknessandecclesialweakness, itwillnevergrowold.Jesuscanalsobreakthroughthedullcategorieswithwhichwewouldenclosehimandheconstantlyamazesusbyhisdivinecreativity.Wheneverwemaketheefforttoreturntothesourceandtorecovertheoriginal freshnessof theGospel,newavenuesarise,newpathsofcreativityopenup,withdifferentformsofexpression,moreeloquentsignsandwordswithnewmeaning for today’sworld.Every formof authenticevangelizationisalways“new”.

12.Thoughitistruethatthismissiondemandsgreat generosity on our part, it would be wrong toseeitasaheroicindividualundertaking,foritisfirstand foremost the Lord’s work, surpassing anythingwhich we can see and understand. Jesus is “thefirst and greatest evangelizer”.9 In every activity ofevangelization, theprimacyalwaysbelongs toGod,whohascalledustocooperatewithhimandwholeadsusonbythepowerofhisSpirit.TherealnewnessisthenewnesswhichGodhimselfmysteriouslybringsaboutandinspires,provokes,guidesandaccompaniesinathousandways.ThelifeoftheChurchshouldalwaysrevealclearlythatGodtakestheinitiative,that“hehaslovedusfirst”(1Jn4:19)andthathealone“givesthegrowth” (1Cor3:7).Thisconvictionenablesustomaintainaspiritof joy inthemidstofa tasksodemandingandchallengingthatitengagesourentirelife.Godaskseverythingofus,yetatthesametimeheofferseverythingtous.

9. PAULVI,ApostolicExhortationEvangeliiNuntiandi (8December1975),7:AAS68(1976),9.

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13.Norshouldweseethenewnessofthismissionasentailingakindofdisplacementorforgetfulnessofthelivinghistorywhichsurroundsusandcarriesusforward.Memoryisadimensionofourfaithwhichwemightcall“deuteronomic”,notunlikethememoryof Israel itself. Jesus leaves us the Eucharist as theChurch’s daily remembranceof, anddeeper sharingin,theeventofhisPassover(cf.Lk22:19).Thejoyofevangelizingalwaysarisesfromgratefulremembrance:it is a grace which we constantly need to implore.The apostles never forgot the moment when Jesustouched their hearts: “It was about four o’clock inthe afternoon” (Jn 1:39). Together with Jesus, thisremembrancemakespresenttous“agreatcloudofwitnesses”(Heb12:1),someofwhom,asbelievers,werecallwithgreatjoy:“Rememberyourleaders,thosewhospoketoyouthewordofGod”(Heb13:7).Someof themwereordinarypeoplewhowereclose tousandintroducedustothelifeoffaith:“Iamremindedofyoursincerefaith,afaiththatdweltfirstinyourgrandmother Lois and your mother Eunice” (2 Tim1:5).Thebelieverisessentially“onewhoremembers”.

III. the new evangelization for the transmission of the Faith

14.AttentivetothepromptingsoftheHolySpiritwhohelpsustogethertoreadthesignsofthetimes,theXIIIOrdinaryGeneralAssemblyoftheSynodofBishopsgatheredfrom7-28October2012todiscussthetheme:TheNewEvangelizationfortheTransmissionoftheChristianFaith.TheSynodreaffirmedthatthenewevangelizationisasummonsaddressedtoallandthatitiscarriedoutinthreeprincipalsettings.10

10. Cf.Propositio7.

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Infirstplace,wecanmentiontheareaofordinarypastoralministry,whichis“animatedbythefireoftheSpirit,soastoinflametheheartsofthefaithfulwhoregularlytakepartincommunityworshipandgatherontheLord’sdaytobenourishedbyhiswordandbythe bread of eternal life”.11 In this category we canalsoincludethosemembersoffaithfulwhopreserveadeepandsincerefaith,expressingitindifferentways,butseldomtakingpartinworship.OrdinarypastoralministryseekstohelpbelieverstogrowspirituallysothattheycanrespondtoGod’sloveevermorefullyintheirlives.

Asecondareaisthatof“thebaptizedwhoselivesdonotreflectthedemandsofBaptism”,12wholackameaningfulrelationshiptotheChurchandnolongerexperiencetheconsolationbornoffaith.TheChurch,inhermaternalconcern,triestohelpthemexperienceaconversionwhichwillrestorethejoyoffaithtotheirheartsandinspireacommitmenttotheGospel.

Lastly,wecannot forget thatevangelization isfirstandforemostaboutpreachingtheGospeltothosewhodonotknowJesusChristorwhohavealwaysrejectedhim.ManyofthesearequietlyseekingGod,ledbyayearningtoseehisface,evenincountriesofancientChristiantradition.Allofthemhavearightto receive the Gospel. Christians have the duty toproclaimtheGospelwithoutexcludinganyone.Insteadof seeming to impose new obligations, they shouldappear as people who wish to share their joy, whopointtoahorizonofbeautyandwhoinviteothersto

11. BENEDICTXVI,HomilyatMassfortheConclusionoftheSynodofBishops(28October2012):AAS104(2102),890.12. Ibid.

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adeliciousbanquet.ItisnotbyproselytizingthattheChurchgrows,but“byattraction”.13

15.JohnPaulIIaskedustorecognizethat“theremust be no lessening of the impetus to preach theGospel”tothosewhoare far fromChrist,“becausethisisthefirsttaskoftheChurch”.14Indeed,“todaymissionary activity still represents the greatestchallenge for the Church”15 and “the missionarytask must remain foremost”.16 What would happenifweweretotakethesewordsseriously?WewouldrealizethatmissionaryoutreachisparadigmaticforalltheChurch’sactivity.AlongtheselinestheLatinAmerican bishops stated that we “cannot passivelyandcalmlywaitinourchurchbuildings”;17weneedtomove“fromapastoralministryofmereconservationtoadecidedlymissionarypastoralministry”.18ThistaskcontinuestobeasourceofimmensejoyfortheChurch:“Justso,Itellyou,therewillbemorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerwhorepentsthanninety-ninerighteouspersonswhoneednorepentance”(Lk15:7).

The scope and limits of this Exhortation

16.I was happy to take up the request of theFathers of the Synod to write this Exhortation.19 Insodoing,IamreapingtherichfruitsoftheSynod’s

13. BENEDICTXVI,HomilyatMassfortheOpeningoftheFifthGeneralConferenceoftheLatinAmericanandCaribbeanBishops(13May2007),Aparecida,Brazil:AAS99(2007),437.14. EncyclicalLetter,RedemptorisMissio(7December1990),34:AAS83(1991),280.15. Ibid.,40:AAS83(1991),287.16. Ibid.,86:AAS83(1991),333.17. FIFTH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE LATIN AMERICAN ANDCARIBBEANBISHOPS,AparecidaDocument,29June2007,548.18. Ibid.,370.19. Cf.Propositio1.

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labours. In addition, I have sought advice from anumber of people and I intend to express my ownconcernsaboutthisparticularchapteroftheChurch’swork of evangelization. Countless issues involvingevangelization today might be discussed here, butI have chosen not to explore these many questionswhichcallforfurtherreflectionandstudy.NordoIbelievethatthepapalmagisteriumshouldbeexpectedtoofferadefinitiveorcompletewordoneveryquestionwhich affects the Church and the world. It is notadvisableforthePopetotaketheplaceoflocalBishopsinthediscernmentofeveryissuewhicharisesintheirterritory.Inthissense,Iamconsciousoftheneedtopromoteasound“decentralization”.

17.HereIhavechosentopresentsomeguidelineswhich can encourage and guide the whole Churchin a new phase of evangelization, one marked byenthusiasmandvitality.Inthiscontext,andonthebasis of the teaching of the Dogmatic ConstitutionLumenGentium,Ihavedecided,amongotherthemes,todiscussatlengththefollowingquestions:

a) the reformof theChurch inhermissionaryoutreach;

b)thetemptationsfacedbypastoralworkers;

c)theChurch,understoodastheentirePeopleofGodwhichevangelizes;

d)thehomilyanditspreparation;

e)theinclusionofthepoorinsociety;

f)peaceanddialoguewithinsociety;

g)thespiritualmotivationsformission.

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18.I have dealt extensively with these topics,withadetailwhichsomemayfindexcessive.But Ihavedoneso,notwiththeintentionofprovidinganexhaustive treatisebut simplyas awayof showingtheirimportantpracticalimplicationsfortheChurch’smissiontoday.Allofthemhelpgiveshapetoadefinitestyle of evangelization which I ask you to adopt inevery activity which you undertake. In this way,we can take up, amid our daily efforts, the biblicalexhortation:“RejoiceintheLordalways;againIwillsay:Rejoice”(Phil4:4).

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chapter one

the church’S MISSIonarY tranSForMatIon

19.EvangelizationtakesplaceinobediencetothemissionarymandateofJesus:“Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandof theSonandof theHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou” (Mt 28:19-20). In theseversesweseehowtherisenChristsenthisfollowerstopreachtheGospelineverytimeandplace,sothatfaithinhimmightspreadtoeverycorneroftheearth.

I. A church Which Goes Forth

20.ThewordofGodconstantlyshowsushowGod challenges those who believe in him “to goforth”.Abrahamreceivedthecalltosetoutforanewland(cf.Gen12:1-3).MosesheardGod’scall:“Go,Isend you” (Ex 3:10) and led the people towards thepromisedland(cf.Ex3:17).ToJeremiah,Godsays:“ToallwhomIsendyou,youshallgo”(Jer1:7).InourdayJesus’ command to“goandmakedisciples”echoesinthechangingscenariosandevernewchallengestotheChurch’smissionofevangelization,andallofusarecalledtotakepartinthisnewmissionary“goingforth”. Each Christian and every community mustdiscernthepaththattheLordpointsout,butallofusareaskedtoobeyhiscalltogoforthfromourowncomfortzoneinordertoreachallthe“peripheries”inneedofthelightoftheGospel.

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21.TheGospeljoywhichenlivensthecommu-nityofdisciplesisamissionaryjoy.Theseventy-twodisciplesfeltitastheyreturnedfromtheirmission(cf.Lk10:17).JesusfeltitwhenherejoicedintheHolySpiritandpraisedtheFatherforrevealinghimselftothepoorandthelittleones(cf.Lk10:21).Itwasfeltbythefirstconvertswhomarvelledtoheartheapostlespreaching“inthenativelanguageofeach”(Acts2:6)onthedayofPentecost.ThisjoyisasignthattheGos-pelhasbeenproclaimedandisbearingfruit.Yetthedrivetogoforthandgive,togooutfromourselves,tokeeppressingforwardinoursowingofthegoodseed,remainseverpresent.TheLordsays:“LetusgoontothenexttownsthatImaypreachtherealso,forthatiswhyIcameout”(Mk1:38).Oncetheseedhasbeensowninoneplace,Jesusdoesnotstaybehindtoexplainthingsortoperformmoresigns;theSpiritmoveshimtogoforthtoothertowns.

22.God’s word is unpredictable in its power.TheGospelspeaksofaseedwhich,oncesown,growsbyitself,evenasthefarmersleeps(Mk4:26-29).TheChurchhastoacceptthisunrulyfreedomoftheword,whichaccomplisheswhatitwillsinwaysthatsurpassourcalculationsandwaysofthinking.

23.The Church’s closeness to Jesus is part ofa common journey; “communion and mission areprofoundlyinterconnected”.20InfidelitytotheexampleoftheMaster,itisvitallyimportantfortheChurchtodaytogoforthandpreachtheGospeltoall:toallplaces,onalloccasions,withouthesitation,reluctance

20. JOHN PAUL II, Post-SynodalApostolicExhortationChristifidelesLaici (30December1988),32:AAS81(1989)451.

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orfear.ThejoyoftheGospelisforallpeople:noonecanbeexcluded.ThatiswhattheangelproclaimedtotheshepherdsinBethlehem:“Benotafraid;forbehold,Ibringyougoodnewsofagreatjoywhichwillcometo all the people (Lk 2:10). The Book of Revelationspeaksof“aneternalGospeltoproclaimtothosewhodwellonearth,toeverynationandtongueandtribeandpeople(Rev14:6).

Taking the first step, being involved and supportive, bearing fruit and rejoicing

24.TheChurchwhich“goesforth”isacommunityofmissionarydiscipleswhotakethefirststep,whoareinvolvedandsupportive,whobear fruitandrejoice.An evangelizing community knows that the Lordhastakentheinitiative,hehaslovedusfirst(cf.1Jn4:19),andthereforewecanmoveforward,boldlytaketheinitiative,goouttoothers,seekthosewhohavefallenaway,standatthecrossroadsandwelcometheoutcast.Suchacommunityhasanendlessdesiretoshow mercy, the fruit of its own experience of thepoweroftheFather’sinfinitemercy.Letustryalittlehardertotakethefirststepandtobecomeinvolved.Jesuswashedthefeetofhisdisciples.TheLordgetsinvolvedandheinvolveshisown,ashekneelstowashtheirfeet.Hetellshisdisciples:“Youwillbeblessedifyoudothis”(Jn13:17).Anevangelizingcommunitygetsinvolvedbywordanddeedinpeople’sdailylives;it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself ifnecessary,anditembraceshumanlife,touchingthesufferingfleshofChristinothers.Evangelizersthustakeon the“smellof the sheep”and the sheeparewillingtoheartheirvoice.Anevangelizingcommunity

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isalsosupportive,standingbypeopleateverystepoftheway,nomatterhowdifficultorlengthythismayprovetobe.Itisfamiliarwithpatientexpectationandapostolicendurance.Evangelizationconsistsmostlyofpatienceanddisregardforconstraintsoftime.FaithfultotheLord’sgift,italsobearsfruit.Anevangelizingcommunity isalwaysconcernedwith fruit,becausetheLordwantshertobefruitful.Itcaresforthegrainanddoesnotgrowimpatientattheweeds.Thesower,whenheseesweedssproutingamongthegraindoesnotgrumbleoroverreact.Heorshefindsawaytoletthewordtakefleshinaparticularsituationandbearfruitsofnew life,however imperfector incompletethesemayappear.Thediscipleisreadytoputhisorherwholelifeontheline,eventoacceptingmartyrdom,inbearingwitnesstoJesusChrist,yetthegoalisnotto make enemies but to see God’s word acceptedanditscapacityforliberationandrenewalrevealed.Finally an evangelizing community is filled withjoy; itknowshowtorejoicealways. Itcelebratesateverysmallvictory,everystep forward in theworkof evangelization. Evangelization with joy becomesbeautyintheliturgy,aspartofourdailyconcerntospreadgoodness.TheChurchevangelizesandisherselfevangelizedthroughthebeautyoftheliturgy,whichisbothacelebrationofthetaskofevangelizationandthesourceofherrenewedself-giving.

II. Pastoral Activity and conversion

25.I am aware that nowadays documents donotarousethesameinterestasinthepastandthatthey are quickly forgotten. Nevertheless, I want toemphasize that what I am trying to express here

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has a programmatic significance and importantconsequences.Ihopethatallcommunitieswilldevotethenecessaryefforttoadvancingalongthepathofapastoralandmissionaryconversionwhichcannotleavethingsastheypresentlyare.“Mereadministration”cannolongerbeenough.21Throughouttheworld,letusbe“permanentlyinastateofmission”.22

26.Paul VI invited us to deepen the call torenewaland tomake itclear that renewaldoesnotonlyconcernindividualsbuttheentireChurch.Letus return to a memorable text which continues tochallengeus.“TheChurchmustlookwithpenetratingeyeswithinherself,ponder themysteryofherownbeing…Thisvividandlivelyself-awarenessinevitablyleads to a comparison between the ideal image ofthe Church as Christ envisaged her and loved herashisholyandspotlessbride(cf.Eph5:27),andtheactualimagewhichtheChurchpresentstotheworldtoday...ThisisthesourceoftheChurch’sheroicandimpatientstruggleforrenewal:thestruggletocorrectthose flaws introduced by her members which herownself-examination,mirroringherexemplar,Christ,pointsouttoherandcondemns”.23TheSecondVaticanCouncilpresentedecclesialconversionasopennesstoaconstantself-renewalbornoffidelitytoJesusChrist:“Every renewal of the Church essentially consistsinanincreaseoffidelitytoherowncalling…ChristsummonstheChurchasshegoesherpilgrimway…tothatcontinualreformationofwhichshealwayshas

21. FIFTH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE LATIN AMERICAN ANDCARIBBEANBISHOPS,AparecidaDocument,29June2007,201.22. Ibid.,551.23. PAULVI,EncyclicalLetterEcclesiamSuam(6August1964),9,10,11:AAS56(1964),611-612.

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need,insofarassheisahumaninstitutionhereonearth”.24

Thereareecclesialstructureswhichcanhampereffortsatevangelization,yetevengoodstructuresareonlyhelpfulwhenthereisa lifeconstantlydriving,sustainingandassessingthem.Withoutnewlifeandanauthenticevangelicalspirit,withouttheChurch’s“fidelitytoherowncalling”,anynewstructurewillsoonproveineffective.

An ecclesial renewal which cannot be deferred27.Idreamofa“missionaryoption”,thatis,a

missionaryimpulsecapableoftransformingeverything,sothattheChurch’scustoms,waysofdoingthings,timesandschedules,languageandstructurescanbesuitablychanneled for theevangelizationof today’sworldratherthanforherself-preservation.Therenewalof structures demanded by pastoral conversion canonlybeunderstoodinthislight:aspartofanefforttomakethemmoremission-oriented,tomakeordinarypastoral activity on every level more inclusive andopen,toinspireinpastoralworkersaconstantdesiretogoforthandinthiswaytoelicitapositiveresponsefrom all those whom Jesus summons to friendshipwithhim.As JohnPaul II once said to theBishopsof Oceania: “All renewal in the Church must havemissionasitsgoalifitisnottofallpreytoakindofecclesialintroversion”.25

28.The parish is not an outdated institution;precisely because it possesses great flexibility, itcan assume quite different contours depending on

24. SECOND ECUMENICAL VATICAN COUNCIL, Decree on EcumenismUnitatisRedintegratio,6.25. JOHNPAULII,Post-SynodalApostolicExhortationEcclesiainOceania (22November2001),19:AAS94(2002),390.

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theopennessandmissionarycreativityofthepastorand the community. While certainly not the onlyinstitutionwhichevangelizes,ifitprovescapableofself-renewalandconstantadaptivity,itcontinuestobe“theChurchlivinginthemidstofthehomesofhersonsanddaughters”.26Thispresumesthatitreallyisincontactwiththehomesandthelivesofitspeople,anddoesnotbecomeauselessstructureoutoftouchwithpeopleoraself-absorbedclustermadeupofachosenfew.TheparishisthepresenceoftheChurchinagiventerritory,anenvironmentforhearingGod’sword,forgrowthintheChristianlife,fordialogue,proclamation,charitableoutreach,worshipandcelebration.27Inallitsactivitiestheparishencouragesandtrainsitsmemberstobeevangelizers.28Itisacommunityofcommunities,a sanctuarywhere the thirsty come todrink in themidst of their journey, and a centre of constantmissionary outreach. We must admit, though, thatthecalltoreviewandrenewourparisheshasnotyetsufficedtobringthemnearertopeople,tomakethemenvironmentsoflivingcommunionandparticipation,andtomakethemcompletelymission-oriented.

29.OtherChurchinstitutions,basiccommunitiesand small communities, movements, and forms ofassociationareasourceofenrichmentfortheChurch,raisedupbytheSpiritforevangelizingdifferentareasandsectors.Frequentlytheybringanewevangelizingfervour and a new capacity for dialogue with theworld whereby the Church is renewed. But it willprove beneficial for them not to lose contact withtherichrealityofthelocalparishandtoparticipate

26. JOHN PAUL II, Post-SynodalApostolicExhortationChristifidelesLaici (30September1988),26:AAS81(1989),438.27. Cf.Propositio26.28. Cf.Propositio44.

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readilyintheoverallpastoralactivityoftheparticularChurch.29ThiskindofintegrationwillpreventthemfromconcentratingonlyonpartoftheGospelortheChurch,orbecomingnomadswithoutroots.

30.EachparticularChurch,asaportionof theCatholicChurchunder the leadershipof itsbishop,islikewisecalledtomissionaryconversion.Itistheprimary subject of evangelization,30 since it is theconcretemanifestationoftheoneChurchinonespecificplace,andinit“theone,holy,catholic,andapostolicChurchofChrististrulypresentandoperative”.31ItistheChurchincarnateinacertainplace,equippedwithallthemeansofsalvationbestowedbyChrist,butwithlocalfeatures.ItsjoyincommunicatingJesusChristisexpressedbothbyaconcerntopreachhimtoareasingreaterneedandinconstantlygoingforthtotheoutskirtsof itsownterritoryortowardsnewsocioculturalsettings.32WherevertheneedforthelightandthelifeoftheRisenChristisgreatest,itwillwanttobethere.33Tomakethismissionaryimpulseevermorefocused,generousandfruitful,IencourageeachparticularChurchtoundertakearesoluteprocessofdiscernment,purificationandreform.

31.Thebishopmustalwaysfosterthismissionarycommunion in his diocesan Church, following theideal of the first Christian communities, in whichthebelieverswereofoneheartandonesoul(cf.Acts4:32).Todoso,hewillsometimesgobeforehispeople,pointingthewayandkeepingtheirhopevibrant.At

29. Cf.Propositio26.30. Cf.Propositio41.31. SECONDVATICANECUMENICALCOUNCIL,DecreeonthePastoralOfficeofBishopsChristusDominus,11.32. Cf.BENEDICTXVI,Address for theFortiethAnniversaryof theDecreeAdGentes(11March2006):AAS98(2006),337.33. Cf.Propositio42.

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othertimes,hewillsimplybeintheirmidstwithhisunassumingandmercifulpresence.Atyetothertimes,hewillhavetowalkafterthem,helpingthosewholagbehindand–aboveall–allowingtheflocktostrikeoutonnewpaths.Inhismissionoffosteringadynamic,open and missionary communion, he will have toencourage and develop the means of participationproposedintheCodeofCanonLaw,34andotherformsofpastoraldialogue,outofadesiretolistentoeveryoneand not simply to those who would tell him whathewouldliketohear.Yettheprincipalaimoftheseparticipatory processes should not be ecclesiasticalorganizationbutratherthemissionaryaspirationofreachingeveryone.

32.SinceIamcalledtoputintopracticewhatIaskofothers,Itoomustthinkaboutaconversionofthepapacy.Itismyduty,astheBishopofRome,tobeopentosuggestionswhichcanhelpmaketheexerciseofmyministrymorefaithfultothemeaningwhichJesusChristwishedtogiveitandtothepresentneedsof evangelization. Pope John Paul II asked for helpin finding “a way of exercising the primacy which,whileinnowayrenouncingwhatisessentialtoitsmission,isnonethelessopentoanewsituation”.35Wehavemadelittleprogressinthisregard.Thepapacyand the central structures of the universal Churchalsoneedtohearthecalltopastoralconversion.TheSecondVaticanCouncilstatedthat,liketheancientpatriarchalChurches,episcopalconferencesareinaposition“tocontributeinmanyandfruitfulwaystotheconcreterealizationofthecollegialspirit”.36Yet

34. Cf.Canons460-468;492-502;511-514;536-537.35. EncyclicalLetterUtUnumSint(25May1995),95:AAS87(1995),977-978.36. SECONDVATICANECUMENICALCOUNCIl,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,23.

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thisdesirehasnotbeenfullyrealized,sinceajuridicalstatusofepiscopalconferenceswhichwouldseethemassubjectsofspecificattributions,includinggenuinedoctrinal authority, has not yet been sufficientlyelaborated.37 Excessive centralization, rather thanprovinghelpful,complicatestheChurch’slifeandhermissionaryoutreach.

33.Pastoralministryinamissionarykeyseeksto abandon the complacent attitude that says: “Wehavealwaysdone it thisway”. I inviteeveryone tobe bold and creative in this task of rethinking thegoals,structures,styleandmethodsofevangelizationintheirrespectivecommunities.Aproposalofgoalswithoutanadequatecommunalsearchforthemeansof achieving them will inevitably prove illusory. Iencourageeveryonetoapplytheguidelinesfoundinthisdocumentgenerouslyandcourageously,withoutinhibitionsorfear.Theimportantthingistonotwalkalone,buttorelyoneachotherasbrothersandsisters,andespeciallyundertheleadershipofthebishops,inawiseandrealisticpastoraldiscernment.

III. From the Heart of the Gospel34.Ifweattempttoputallthingsinamissionary

key,thiswillalsoaffectthewaywecommunicatethemessage.Intoday’sworldofinstantcommunicationandoccasionallybiasedmediacoverage,themessagewe preach runs a greater risk of being distorted orreducedtosomeofitssecondaryaspects.Inthiswaycertain issueswhicharepartof theChurch’smoralteaching are taken out of the context which givesthemtheirmeaning.Thebiggestproblemiswhenthe

37. JOHNPAULII,MotuProprioApostolosSuos(21May1998):AAS90(1998),641-658.

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messagewepreachthenseemsidentifiedwiththosesecondary aspects which, important as they are, donotinandofthemselvesconveytheheartofChrist’smessage.Weneedtoberealisticandnotassumethatouraudienceunderstandsthefullbackgroundtowhatwearesaying,oriscapableofrelatingwhatwesaytotheveryheartoftheGospelwhichgivesitmeaning,beautyandattractiveness.

35. Pastoral ministry in a missionary style isnot obsessed with the disjointed transmission of amultitudeofdoctrinestobeinsistentlyimposed.Whenweadoptapastoralgoalandamissionarystylewhichwould actually reach everyone without exceptionorexclusion,themessagehastoconcentrateontheessentials,onwhatismostbeautiful,mostgrand,mostappealingandatthesametimemostnecessary.Themessageissimplified,whilelosingnoneofitsdepthandtruth,andthusbecomesallthemoreforcefulandconvincing.

36.All revealed truths derive from the samedivine source andare tobebelievedwith the samefaith,yetsomeofthemaremoreimportantforgivingdirectexpressionto theheartof theGospel. In thisbasiccore,whatshinesforthisthebeautyofthesavingloveofGodmademanifestinJesusChristwhodiedandrosefromthedead.Inthissense,theSecondVaticanCouncilexplained,“inCatholicdoctrinethereexistsan order or a ‘hierarchy’ of truths, since they varyin their relation to the foundation of the Christianfaith”.38Thisholds trueasmuch for thedogmasoffaithasforthewholecorpusoftheChurch’steaching,includinghermoralteaching.

38. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decree on EcumenismUnitatisRedintegratio,11.

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37.Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that theChurch’s moral teaching has its own “hierarchy”,in the virtues and in the acts which proceed fromthem.39Whatcountsaboveallelseis“faithworkingthroughlove”(Gal5:6).Worksoflovedirectedtoone’sneighbourarethemostperfectexternalmanifestationoftheinteriorgraceoftheSpirit:“ThefoundationoftheNewLawisinthegraceoftheHolySpirit,whoismanifestedinthefaithwhichworksthroughlove”.40Thomasthusexplainsthat,asfarasexternalworksareconcerned,mercyisthegreatestofallthevirtues:“Initselfmercyisthegreatestofthevirtues,sincealltheothers revolvearound itand,more than this, itmakesupfortheirdeficiencies.Thisisparticulartothesuperiorvirtue,andassuchitispropertoGodtohavemercy,throughwhichhisomnipotenceismanifestedtothegreatestdegree”.41

38.It is important to draw out the pastoralconsequencesoftheCouncil’steaching,whichreflectsanancientconvictionoftheChurch.First,itneedstobesaidthatinpreachingtheGospelafittingsenseofproportionhastobemaintained.Thiswouldbeseeninthefrequencywithwhichcertainthemesarebroughtupandintheemphasisgiventotheminpreaching.Forexample,ifinthecourseoftheliturgicalyearaparishpriestspeaksabouttemperancetentimesbutonlymentionscharityorjusticetwoorthreetimes,animbalanceresults,andpreciselythosevirtueswhichoughttobemostpresentinpreachingandcatechesis

39. Cf.S.Th.,I-II,q.66,a.4-6.40. S.Th.,I-II,q.108,a.1.41. S.Th.,II-II,q.30,a.4:“WedonotworshipGodwithsacrificesandexteriorgiftsforhim,butratherforusandforourneighbour.Hehasnoneedofoursacrifices,buthedoesaskthatthesebeofferedbyusasdevotionandforthebenefitofourneighbour.Forhim,mercy,whichovercomesthedefectsofourdevotionandsacrifice,isthesacrificewhichismostpleasing,becauseitismercywhichaboveallseeksthegoodofone’sneighbour”(S.Th.,II-II,q.30,a.4,ad1).

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are overlooked. The same thing happens when wespeakmoreaboutlawthanaboutgrace,moreabouttheChurchthanaboutChrist,moreaboutthePopethanaboutGod’sword.

39.JustastheorganicunityexistingamongthevirtuesmeansthatnooneofthemcanbeexcludedfromtheChristianideal,sonotruthmaybedenied.TheintegrityoftheGospelmessagemustnotbedeformed.Whatismore,eachtruthisbetterunderstoodwhenrelated to the harmonious totality of the Christianmessage;inthiscontextallofthetruthsareimportantandillumineoneanother.WhenpreachingisfaithfultotheGospel,thecentralityofcertaintruthsisevidentanditbecomesclearthatChristianmoralityisnotaformofstoicism,orself-denial,ormerelyapracticalphilosophy or a catalogue of sins and faults. Beforeallelse,theGospelinvitesustorespondtotheGodoflovewhosavesus,toseeGodinothersandtogoforthfromourselvestoseekthegoodofothers.Undernocircumstancecanthisinvitationbeobscured!Allof the virtues are at the service of this response oflove.Ifthisinvitationdoesnotradiateforcefullyandattractively,theedificeoftheChurch’smoralteachingrisksbecomingahouseofcards,andthisisourgreatestrisk.ItwouldmeanthatitisnottheGospelwhichisbeingpreached,butcertaindoctrinalormoralpointsbasedonspecificideologicaloptions.Themessagewillruntheriskoflosingitsfreshnessandwillceasetohave“thefragranceoftheGospel”.

IV. A Mission embodied Within Human Limits

40.TheChurchisherselfamissionarydisciple;sheneedstogrowinherinterpretationoftherevealedwordandinherunderstandingoftruth.Itisthetaskof

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exegetesandtheologianstohelp“thejudgmentoftheChurchtomature”.42Theothersciencesalsohelptoaccomplishthis,eachinitsownway.Withreferencetothesocialsciences,forexample,JohnPaulIIsaidthattheChurchvaluestheirresearch,whichhelpsher“toderiveconcreteindicationshelpfulforhermagisterialmission”.43 Within the Church countless issues arebeingstudiedandreflecteduponwithgreatfreedom.Differingcurrentsofthoughtinphilosophy,theologyandpastoralpractice, ifopentobeingreconciledbytheSpiritinrespectandlove,canenabletheChurchtogrow,sinceallofthemhelptoexpressmoreclearlythe immense riches of God’s word. For those wholongforamonolithicbodyofdoctrineguardedbyallandleavingnoroomfornuance,thismightappearasundesirableandleadingtoconfusion.ButinfactsuchvarietyservestobringoutanddevelopdifferentfacetsoftheinexhaustiblerichesoftheGospel.44

41.At the same time, today’s vast and rapidculturalchangesdemandthatweconstantlyseekwaysofexpressingunchangingtruthsinalanguagewhichbringsouttheirabidingnewness.“Thedepositofthefaithisonething...thewayitisexpressedisanother”.45There are times when the faithful, in listening to

42. SECONDVATICANECUMENICALCOUNCIL,DogmaticConstitutiononDivineRevelationDeiVerbum,12.43. MotuProprioSocialiumScientiarum(1January1994):AAS86(1994),209.44. Saint Thomas Aquinas noted that the multiplicity and variety “were theintentionofthefirstagent”,whowishedthat“whateachindividualthinglackedinordertoreflectthedivinegoodnesswouldbemadeupforbyotherthings”,sincetheCreator’sgoodness“couldnotbefittinglyreflectedbyjustonecreature”(S.Th.,I,q.47,a.1).Consequently,weneedtograspthevarietyofthingsintheirmultiplerelationships(cf.S.Th.,I,q.47,a.2,ad1;q.47,a.3).Byanalogy,weneedtolistentoandcomplementoneanotherinourpartialreceptionofrealityandtheGospel.45. JOHNXXIII,AddressfortheOpeningoftheSecondVaticanCouncil(11October1962):AAS54(1962),792:“Estenimaliudipsumdepositumfidei,seuveritates,quaevenerandadoctrinanostracontinentur,aliudmodus,quoeaedemenuntiantur”.

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completelyorthodoxlanguage,takeawaysomethingalientotheauthenticGospelofJesusChrist,becausethatlanguageisalientotheirownwayofspeakingtoandunderstandingoneanother.WiththeholyintentofcommunicatingthetruthaboutGodandhumanity,wesometimesgivethemafalsegodorahumanidealwhichisnotreallyChristian.Inthisway,weholdfasttoaformulationwhilefailingtoconveyitssubstance.This is thegreatestdanger.Letusnever forget that“theexpressionoftruthcantakedifferentforms.TherenewaloftheseformsofexpressionbecomesnecessaryforthesakeoftransmittingtothepeopleoftodaytheGospelmessageinitsunchangingmeaning”.46

42.AllofthishasgreatrelevanceforthepreachingoftheGospel,ifwearereallyconcernedtomakeitsbeautymoreclearly recognizedandacceptedbyall.Ofcourse,wewillneverbeabletomaketheChurch’steachingseasilyunderstoodorreadilyappreciatedbyeveryone.Faithalwaysremainssomethingofacross;itretainsacertainobscuritywhichdoesnotdetractfromthefirmnessofitsassent.Somethingsareunderstoodandappreciatedonlyfromthestandpointofthisassent,which is a sister to love, beyond the level of clearreasonsandarguments.Weneedtorememberthatallreligiousteachingultimatelyhastobereflectedintheteacher’swayoflife,whichawakenstheassentoftheheartbyitsnearness,loveandwitness.

43.Inherongoingdiscernment,theChurchcanalso come to see that certain customs not directlyconnectedtotheheartoftheGospel,evensomewhichhave deep historical roots, are no longer properlyunderstoodandappreciated.Someof thesecustoms

46. JOHNPAULII,EncyclicalLetterUtUnumSint (25May1995),19:AAS87(1995),933.

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maybebeautiful,buttheynolongerserveasmeansofcommunicatingtheGospel.Weshouldnotbeafraidtore-examinethem.Atthesametime,theChurchhasrulesorpreceptswhichmayhavebeenquiteeffectiveintheirtime,butnolongerhavethesameusefulnessfordirectingandshapingpeople’slives.SaintThomasAquinaspointedoutthatthepreceptswhichChristandtheapostlesgavetothepeopleofGod“areveryfew”.47 Citing Saint Augustine, he noted that thepreceptssubsequentlyenjoinedbytheChurchshouldbeinsisteduponwithmoderation“soasnottoburdenthelivesofthefaithful”andmakeourreligionaformofservitude,whereas“God’smercyhaswilledthatweshouldbefree”.48Thiswarning,issuedmanycenturiesago, ismosttimelytoday. Itoughttobeoneof thecriteria tobe taken intoaccount inconsidering thereformoftheChurchandherpreachingwhichwouldenableittoreacheveryone.

44.Moreover,pastors and the lay faithfulwhoaccompanytheirbrothersandsistersinfaithoronajourneyofopenness toGodmustalways rememberwhattheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchteachesquite clearly: “Imputability and responsibility foran action can be diminished or even nullified byignorance,inadvertence,duress,fear,habit,inordinateattachments, and other psychological or socialfactors”.49Consequently,withoutdetractingfromtheevangelicalideal,theyneedtoaccompanywithmercyandpatiencetheeventualstagesofpersonalgrowthastheseprogressivelyoccur.50 Iwanttoremindpriests

47. S.Th.,I-II,q.107,a.4.48. Ibid.49. No.173550. Cf.JOHNPAULII,Post-SynodalApostolicExhortationFamiliarisConsortio(22November1981),34:AAS74(1982),123.

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thattheconfessionalmustnotbeatorturechamberbutratheranencounterwiththeLord’smercywhichspursusontodoourbest.Asmallstep,inthemidstofgreathumanlimitations,canbemorepleasingtoGodthanalifewhichappearsoutwardlyinorderbutmovesthroughthedaywithoutconfrontinggreatdifficulties.Everyone needs to be touched by the comfort andattractionofGod’ssavinglove,whichismysteriouslyatworkineachperson,aboveandbeyondtheirfaultsandfailings.

45.Weseethenthatthetaskofevangelizationoperates within the limits of language and ofcircumstances. It constantly seeks to communicatemoreeffectivelythetruthoftheGospelinaspecificcontext,withoutrenouncingthetruth,thegoodnessandthelightwhichitcanbringwheneverperfectionisnotpossible.Amissionaryheartisawareoftheselimitsandmakesitself“weakwiththeweak...everythingforeveryone”(1Cor9:22).Itneverclosesitselfoff,neverretreatsintoitsownsecurity,neveroptsforrigidityanddefensiveness.ItrealizesthatithastogrowinitsownunderstandingoftheGospelandindiscerningthepathsoftheSpirit,andsoitalwaysdoeswhatgooditcan,evenifintheprocess,itsshoesgetsoiledbythemudofthestreet.

V. A Mother with an open Heart

46.AChurchwhich“goes forth” isaChurchwhosedoorsareopen.Goingouttoothersinordertoreachthefringesofhumanitydoesnotmeanrushingoutaimlesslyintotheworld.Oftenitisbettersimplytoslowdown,toputasideoureagernessinorderto

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see and listen to others, to stop rushing from onethingtoanotherandtoremainwithsomeonewhohasfalteredalongtheway.Attimeswehavetobelikethefatheroftheprodigalson,whoalwayskeepshisdooropensothatwhenthesonreturns,hecanreadilypassthroughit.

47.TheChurchiscalledtobethehouseoftheFather,withdoors alwayswideopen.Oneconcretesignofsuchopennessisthatourchurchdoorsshouldalways be open, so that if someone, moved by theSpirit,comestherelookingforGod,heorshewillnotfindacloseddoor.Thereareotherdoorsthatshouldnotbeclosedeither.EveryonecanshareinsomewayinthelifeoftheChurch;everyonecanbepartofthecommunity,norshouldthedoorsofthesacramentsbe closed for simply any reason. This is especiallytrue of the sacrament which is itself “the door”:baptism.TheEucharist,althoughitisthefullnessofsacramental life, isnotaprize for theperfectbutapowerfulmedicineandnourishment for theweak.51These convictions have pastoral consequences thatwearecalledtoconsiderwithprudenceandboldness.Frequently,weactasarbitersofgraceratherthanitsfacilitators.ButtheChurchisnotatollhouse;itisthehouseoftheFather,wherethereisaplaceforeveryone,withalltheirproblems.

51. Cf.SAINTAMBROSE,DeSacramentis,IV,6,28:PL16,464:“Imustreceiveitalways,sothatitmayalwaysforgivemysins.IfIsincontinually,Imustalwayshavea remedy”; ID.,op. cit., IV,5,24:PL16,463:“Thosewhoatemannadied;thosewhoeatthisbodywillobtaintheforgivenessoftheirsins”;SAINTCYRILOFALEXANDRIA,InJoh.Evang.,IV,2:PG73,584-585:“IexaminedmyselfandIfoundmyselfunworthy.TothosewhospeakthusIsay:whenwillyoubeworthy?WhenatlastyoupresentyourselfbeforeChrist?Andifyoursinspreventyoufromdrawingnigh,andyouneverceasetofall–for,asthePsalmsays,‘whatmanknowshisfaults?’–willyouremainwithoutpartakingofthesanctificationthatgiveslifeforeternity?”

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48.IfthewholeChurchtakesupthismissionaryimpulse, she has to go forth to everyone withoutexception.Buttowhomshouldshegofirst?WhenwereadtheGospelwefindaclearindication:notsomuchourfriendsandwealthyneighbours,butaboveallthepoorandthesick,thosewhoareusuallydespisedandoverlooked,“thosewhocannotrepayyou”(Lk14:14).Therecanbenoroomfordoubtor forexplanationswhichweakensoclearamessage.Todayandalways,“thepooraretheprivilegedrecipientsoftheGospel”,52andthefactthatitisfreelypreachedtothemisasignofthekingdomthatJesuscametoestablish.Wehaveto state, without mincing words, that “there is aninseparablebondbetweenourfaithandthepoor”.Mayweneverabandonthem.

49.Letusgoforth,then,letusgoforthtooffereveryonethelifeofJesusChrist.HereIrepeatfortheentire Church what I have often said to the priestsandlaityofBuenosAires:IpreferaChurchwhichisbruised,hurtinganddirtybecauseithasbeenoutonthestreets,ratherthanaChurchwhichisunhealthyfrom being confined and from clinging to its ownsecurity.IdonotwantaChurchconcernedwithbeingatthecentreandthenendsbybeingcaughtupinawebofobsessionsandprocedures.Ifsomethingshouldrightlydisturbusandtroubleourconsciences,itisthefactthatsomanyofourbrothersandsistersarelivingwithout the strength, light and consolation born offriendshipwith JesusChrist,without a communityoffaithtosupportthem,withoutmeaningandagoalinlife.Morethanbyfearofgoingastray,myhopeisthatwewillbemovedbythefearofremainingshut

52. BENEDICTXVI,AddresstotheBrazilianBishopsintheCathedralofSãoPaulo,Brazil(11May2007),3:AAS99(2007),428.

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up within structures which give us a false sense ofsecurity, within rules which make us harsh judges,withinhabitswhichmakeusfeelsafe,whileatourdoorpeolearestarvingandJesusdoesnottireofsayingtous:“Givethemsomethingtoeat”(Mk6:37).