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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - A Christian should be like Saint Philip Neri, who was “in his time, a true evangelizer through joy”. This is what Pope Francis said during today's general audience, Wednesday, November 27.
The Pope continued the cycle of catechesis on the Holy Spirit and, having already dealt with sanctifying grace and the charisms, today he devoted himself to a “third reality” “linked to the action of the Holy Spirit: the “fruits of the Spirit”: the “fruits of the Spirit” listed by Saint Paul in the Letter to the Galatians (Gal 5:22): “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (5:22).
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 are the result of cooperation between grace and our freedom. Not everyone in the Church can be an apostle, not everyone can be a prophet, not everyone can be an evangelist, not everyone; but all of us, without distinction, can and must be charitable, patient, humble workers for peace, and so on," explained the Bishop of Rome, who then particularly emphasized joy.
The Pope quoted his Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" several times and emphasized that "the joy of the Gospel, unlike any other joy" which does not last long, "can be renewed every day and become contagious. 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!", said Pope Francis.
In this context, Pope Francis recalled Saint Philip Neri, who lived in Rome and went down in history as the "Saint of Joy": "Saint Philip Neri had such love for God that at times it seemed his heart might burst in his chest. His joy was, in the fullest sense, a fruit of the Spirit. He was, in his time, a true evangelizer through joy."
" 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." Before the final blessing, Pope Francis announced that from next Wednesday the summary of the catechisms of the general audience will also be presented in Chinese, and the Pope concluded with an appeal for peace: "Let us not forget the tormented Ukrainian people," said Francis. "They suffer a great deal. And you children, young people, think of the children and young Ukrainians who suffer at this time, without heating, in a very hard, very severe winter. Pray for the Ukrainian children and young people. And let us also pray for peace in the Holy Land: Nazareth, Palestine, Israel… May there be peace. The people are suffering a lot. Let us pray for peace, all together". (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 27/11/2024)
