Sunday, 08 June 2014 Pentecost Sunday - Solemnity
Commentary of the day
Pope
Francis
Apostolic
Exhortation « Evangelii Gaudium / The Joy of the Gospel » § 259-261 (trad. ©
copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana rev.)
« We hear them speaking in their own
tongues
of the mighty acts of God » (Ac 2,11)
of the mighty acts of God » (Ac 2,11)
Spirit-filled evangelizers means evangelizers fearlessly open to
the working of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Spirit made the apostles go
forth from themselves and turned them into heralds of God’s wondrous deeds,
capable of speaking to each person in his or her own language. The Holy Spirit
also grants the courage to proclaim the newness of the Gospel with boldness
(parrhesía) in every time and place, even when it meets with opposition. Let us
call upon him today, firmly rooted in prayer, for without prayer all our
activity risks being fruitless and our message empty. Jesus wants evangelizers
who proclaim the good news not only with words, but above all by a life
transfigured by God’s presence...
Whenever we say that something is “spirited”, it usually refers
to some interior impulse which encourages, motivates, nourishes and gives
meaning to our individual and communal activity. Spirit-filled evangelization
is not the same as a set of tasks dutifully carried out despite one’s own
personal inclinations and wishes. How I long to find the right words to stir up
enthusiasm for a new chapter of evangelization full of fervour, 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. A spirit-filled evangelization is one guided by the Holy Spirit, for he
is the soul of the Church called to proclaim the Gospel... I once more invoke
the Holy Spirit. I implore him to come and renew the Church, to stir and impel
her to go forth boldly to evangelize all peoples.
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