Gaudete et Exsultate or Rejoice and Be
Glad, is the third apostolic exhortation of the Holy Father, Pope Francis after
Evangelium Gadium (The Joy of the
Gospel) and Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). This document (over 20,000
words, divided into five chapters and 177 paragraphs) addresses the universal
call to holiness in today’s world by taking up an important theme of the Second
Vatican Council (1963).
In
the first chapter (#1-34), His Holiness emphasises that every Christian must
discern how the Lord is calling us to holiness and it is the “most attractive
face of the Church.” He also encourages and challenges each one of us to
response to the call to holiness because holiness is necessary for our life
happiness that the world cannot takes from us. He asserts us that we should not
be afraid of living a life of holiness because it doesn't make us less human
and take our energy, vitality and joy.
In
the second chapter (#35-62), Pope Francis warns us about the danger that we
face in our spiritual journey with two ancient heresies of Gnosticism
(knowledge) and Pelagianism in false form of holiness in the present world.
Gnosticism prefers “a God without Christ, a Christ without the Church and a
Church without the people.” Whereas Pelagianism speaks of human will, human
intellect and personal efforts rather than the grace of God.
There
are tendencies that we fall into temptations at times, violence in our
thoughts, digital communications, consumerism, greed and the real danger of
Satan himself. Gnosticism and Pelagianism may bring the image of the Church
down or block the progress of the Church to set her people to grow in holiness.
All we need is correct intellect approach if not it will take our humility and
leaves little room for grace.
Once
the Holy Father cleared these confusion of Gnosticism and Pelagianism, he
encourages every one of us to live out the Beatitudes, (Mt 5:3-12) in our own
way of our lives in the third chapter (#63-94). He goes on to educate us about
the nature of holiness by reflecting on the Beatitudes that “they are the key
to unlocking the Christ-life within us.” Over the times all of us have watered
down the Beautitudes and he wants us to give very practical ways of how to take
on these challenges to make our life happy by living out the Beatitudes in our
daily lives.
In
the proceeding chapter four (#110-157), Pope Francis discusses on “Sign of
holiness in Today’s World,” by offering five great expressions of love of God
and of neighbour: Perseverance, Patience and Meekness; Joy and a Sense of
Humour; Boldness and Passion; Community and Constant Prayer. At the end of this
chapter on section on prayer, he stresses that our striving for holiness should
be rooted in the prayerful reading scripture, spending time with the Lord in
prayer, self-examination of conscience, helping others, maintaining and
upholding human dignity in order to restore our humanity.
In
the last chapter is about a Spiritual Combat (#158-177), where it deals on the
reality of Satan and he points out that the phrase “deliver us from the evil”
in the Our Father is more accurately translated as “deliver us from the evil
one.” The Holy Father wants us to “stand against the wiles of the evil” (Eph
6:11) and to “quench all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Eph 6:16).
Finally,
he explains on the discernment of the Spirit where we need to talk constantly
with God and how we “can better accomplish the mission entrusted to us at our
baptism,” (#174). The Holy Father concludes that when we are in distress or
anxiety we should turn to Our Heavenly Mother Mary and whisper time and time
again by praying the HAIL MARY.
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