Pope Francis renews the call to holiness
Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be glad): On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World[i] has much to offer both individuals and groups.
The Pope’s exhortation can be read in conjunction with the AMPJP Gaudete et Exsultate group reflection guide which can aid canonical stewards and others to engage with Gaudete et Exsultate for communal discernment and spiritual growth.
As with all his writings, Pope Francis’ Gaudete et Exsultate is an easy read. Unlike other Vatican documents which can sound overly idealistic, legalistic and academic, Pope Francis uses everyday language and images to convey his message.
Gaudete et Exsultate overview
Gaudete et Exsultate has five chapters. It starts by making clear that holiness and saints are to be encountered everyday and everywhere. To be holy is nothing more (or less) than to gradually live the life that Christ offers to all who seek to follow Him. The Pope points out that this process and outcome will be unique as:
“each believer discern(s) his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, …rather than hopelessly trying to imitate something not meant for them.” (#11)
In the second chapter Pope Francis warns that the old heresies of Gnosticism and Pelagianism have contemporary manifestations that lead people away from the way of holiness. The Pope explains in simple terms that gnosticism is seeing adherence to a particular purity of ideas and knowledge as the way to God. The Pope points out that God is a mystery and we need to stay open to the God of surprises, mercy and love. Pope Francis sees pelagianism in those who rigidly insist on certain behaviours and customs as the way to God. The alternative is to acknowledge that God always takes the initiative and is the one who brings forth creation and salvation.
The third chapter is as challenging as it is rewarding. Pope Francis takes the Beatitudes (Luke 6:20–22) and The Final Judgement (Matthew 25:35-36) as the template for Christian discipleship. For example, Pope Francis says:
“The Beatitudes are in no way trite or undemanding, quite the opposite. We can only practise them if the Holy Spirit fills us with his power and frees us from our weakness, our selfishness, our complacency and our pride.” (#25).
Throughout chapter four, Pope Francis explains what he sees as today’s “five great expressions of love for God and neighbour” (#112). As with the rest of the exhortation the tone is that of someone sharing their experience and insights of a fulfilling life with God. Pope Francis invites and encourages the reader “… to allow yourself to be loved and liberated by God” (#34). The reader can engage with this letter as if you are having a personal encounter with the Pope as your spiritual advisor. As a former Novice Master and Seminary Rector this would be a role familiar to Pope Francis.
In chapter five Pope Francis explains how the devil (yes the Pope says he is real) can lead us astray. Pope Francis says we can remain aware of the actions of God and the devil in our lives by maintaining a practice of prayer and discernment.
Diving deeper
Pope Francis is the master communicator. He uses words and actions in ways that often convey multiple messages – often reinforcing core themes. The following are some of the deeper meanings that I and others have noticed in Gaudete et Exsultate.
An echo of Lumen Gentium’s chapter five
Pope Francis exhortation, like his synodal, collegial and pastoral approach, remind us that he is working to bring to fruition the riches of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Consider for a moment that his exhortation bears almost the same title as chapter five “The Universal Call to Holiness in the Church” of Vatican II’s Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium). Lumen Gentium was possibly the Second Vatican Council’s most contested document[i]. Both the structure and substance of this document were argued over from the beginning of the Council. We see part of this resolution in the structure of Lumen Gentium where the chapter “On the People of God” is a declaration of the equality of all the baptised as pilgrims (Bishops, clergy, Religious and laity). Fittingly, this chapter is placed ahead of the chapters on Bishops, Laity and Religious. Another major resolution was with regard the “call to holiness”. Some Council Fathers wanted holiness to be an aspiration only of clergy and Religious. The Council used chapter five of Lumen Gentium to make explicit that the Jesus of the Gospels invites all the People of God to live a life of holiness.
The words and actions of Pope Francis admonish those who want a Church where clergy and Religious are given higher status only on the basis of their ordination/vows rather than because of the example of their life. Firstly, he is saying, as he did with the Year of Mercy, that love of God and neighbour should be the primary vocation of all Christians, regardless of their state in life. Secondly, Pope Francis is reminding us that arguments about the nature of Church have already been resolved by Vatican II.
Note the quotes
Pope Francis quotes a variety of sources in Gaudete et Exsultate. As he has done in his previous teachings, Pope Francis quotes other Bishops and various Conferences of Bishops. In so doing he draws attention to, and affirms, their teaching authority. Pope Francis seems to go out of his way to find quotes from some of the smaller and less Euro-centric Bishops’ Conferences. In Gaudete et Exsultate he quotes from the Bishops of: New Zealand, India, Argentina, Latin American and Caribbean, Canada, and West Africa. As with his appointment of Cardinals, Pope Francis is turning upside down customary Catholic expectations of the “who”, “what” and “where” of power and influence in the Church.
The genius of women
On 11 April 2018, Rita Ferrone, writing for la Croix,[ii] notes the prominent place of women in Gaudete et Exsultate. If anything women have a near equal prominence in the Pope’s exhortation. Pope Francis highlights the “genius of woman” (#12) as practitioners of holiness. He mentions as exemplars of holiness, 20 women by name from scripture and church history, as well as our own mothers and grandmothers. Some of the more lengthy quotes in Gaudete et Exsultate are also from women writers. Hopefully future papal and Church documents will continue to give women their rightful place as equals as teachers and examples of discipleship.
Please don’t let this summary and reflection be your only encounter with Gaudete et Exsulete. Pope Francis’ exhortation has the potential to move you in ways particular to your own situation and calling. It is a letter to be read, and re-read, for in it you will find:
“God asks everything of us, yet he also gives everything to us. He does not want to enter our lives to cripple or diminish them, but to bring them to fulfilment.” (#175)
by Lawrie Hallinan, AMPJP Executive Officer
[i] Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete Et Exsultate: On The Call To Holiness In Today’s World http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html <accessed 12th April 2018>
[ii] Alberigo, Giuseppe (Ed.) (Komonchak, Joseph (Ed. English version) (2000) History of Vatican II, Volume III Orbis, Maryknoll and Peeters, Leuven (Pg115)
[iii] Rita Ferrone (2018) There are also women there: Pope Francis cites women writers frequently and at length in la Croix, 11th April 2018 https://international.la-croix.com/news/there-are-also-women-there/7333?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_content=11-04-2018&utm_campaign=newsletter__crx_lci&PMID=17a818fd37cb1501719bf410e702ea75 <accessed 12th April 2018>
