During his ongoing catechesis on the Holy Spirit in the Church, Pope Francis focused his reflections at this week’s General Audience on the gift of spiritual joy, which is one of the Holy Spirit’s fruits.
Pope Francis highlighted that, unlike the temporary joys of the world, the joy granted by the Holy Spirit is profound and enduring. This joy stems from the Spirit’s presence in our hearts and motivates us to share it with others.
Grace and Freedom
The Pope explained that the fruits of the Spirit emerge from the cooperation of grace and freedom, reflecting the unique and creative ways in which faith is expressed through love. While everyone has different gifts, the Pope emphasized that all of us, regardless of our individual gifts, must always strive to be “charitable, patient, humble workers for peace.”
Joy, the Fruit of the Spirit
The joy of the Spirit fills us completely, and the Pope explained how it brings a sense of fulfillment, making us wish it would last forever. He quoted Saint Augustine: “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Joy Shared Multiplies
“The joy of the Gospel, unlike any other joy, is renewable every day and can become contagious,” Pope Francis said. Through continual encounters with God’s love, we form an enriching friendship with Him, which frees us from narrow-mindedness and self-centeredness. This encounter with God’s love becomes the foundation of our evangelization efforts, as we are naturally inspired to share this joy with others.
The Pope also reminded us that the joy of the Spirit doesn’t fade; it grows and multiplies when shared.
The Saint of Joy, Philip Neri
Pope Francis concluded by recalling Saint Philip Neri, known as the “saint of joy.” He fondly remembered how Saint Philip would encourage the poor children in his oratory to “be cheerful,” emphasizing that joy, a fruit of the Spirit, made him a true evangelizer.
The Joy of the Gospel
The Pope also reminded the faithful that the word “Gospel” means good news. He urged everyone to embrace Saint Paul’s call to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near” (Phil 4:4-5).
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