Pope Francis challenges us to pastoral conversion “in a missionary key”

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

In Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), the Holy Father invites us, as individuals and as communities, to a profound pastoral conversion. He writes: “Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God in others and to go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others” (EG, #39).

Pope Francis doesn’t hesitate to call attention to the ways that we are soft, lazy or self-indulgent, but he does it in ways that give us hope and encouragement. Through the Holy Father’s words of challenge and hope, we are invited to move beyond our self-imposed boundaries and to be zealous missionaries for Christ.

We are called to be better, the Holy Father says. We are meant to do more—and be more—than simply stay inside where it’s safe and warm. We’re called to “go forth from our own comfort zones” in order to be missionary disciples for Christ (EG #20).

The pope writes: “Life in the Spirit, which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ,” is the opposite of the anxious, guilt-ridden, superficial way of life that far too many of us experience. “That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life,” the Holy Father tells us. “It is not God’s will for us” (#2). The alternative is the meaningful, joy-filled way of life that Christ taught us by his words and his example.

In his final chapter, Pope Francis exclaims: “How I long for the right words to stir up enthusiasm for a new chapter of evangelization full of fervor, joy, generosity, courage, boundless love and attraction! Yet I realize that no words of encouragement will be enough unless the fire of the Holy Spirit burns in our hearts” (#261). The pope challenges all of us—no matter who we are—to be “Spirit-filled evangelizers,” disciples of Jesus Christ whose hearts are on fire, who have a keen sense of mission, and who never hesitate to proclaim the Good News (#259). Come, Holy Spirit, enkindle in our hearts the fire of your love!

Continue reading Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s latest newsletter.