And in the desert people of faith are needed who, by the example of their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive.

Pope Francis

The Joy of the Gospel

Theme: Belief and Faith

In the desert we rediscover the value of what is essential for living; thus in today’s world there are innumerable signs, often expressed implicitly or negatively, of the thirst for God, for the ultimate meaning of life. And in the desert people of faith are needed who, by the example of their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive.’ In these situations we are called to be living sources of water from which others can drink. At times, this becomes a heavy cross, but it was from the cross, from his pierced side, that our Lord gave himself to us as a source of living water. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope!

Pope Francis

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936, is the head of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome, and the sovereign of the Vatican City State. He has the distinction of being the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and he is the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere. Additionally, he is the first pope born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century papacy of Syrian pope Gregory III.

Before becoming Pope, Francis led a significant career within the Church, known for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. His papacy has been marked by a shift towards more open and compassionate stances on social issues such as immigration, the environment, and the importance of inclusivity within the Church.

Pope Francis continues to be a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, encouraging dialogue, compassion, and a renewed focus on social justice. His groundbreaking leadership as the first Jesuit pope and his connections to various firsts in the history of the Papacy reflect a commitment to bridging gaps and fostering understanding across different cultures and traditions. His teachings and actions resonate with millions around the world, making him one of the most influential religious leaders of our time.

Christianity
Evangelii Gaudium

Pope Francis. The Complete Encyclicals, Bulls, and Apostolic Exhortations. Vol. 1, Ave Maria Press, 2016. Evangelii Gaudium -the Joy of the Gospel (number 86).

Pope Francis

Theme: Belief and Faith

Passage from Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis [Short Excerpt]

In some places a spiritual ‘desertification’ has evidently come about, as the result of attempts by some societies to build without God or to eliminate their Christian roots. In those places ‘the Christian world is becoming sterile, and it is depleting itself like an over-exploited ground, which transforms into a desert.’ In other countries, violent opposition to Christianity forces Christians to hide their faith in their own beloved homeland. This is another painful kind of desert. But family and the workplace can also be a parched place where faith nonetheless has to be preserved and communicated. Yet ‘it is starting from the experience of this desert, from this void, that we can again discover the joy of believing, its vital importance for us men and women. In the desert we rediscover the value of what is essential for living; thus in today’s world there are innumerable signs, often expressed implicitly or negatively, of the thirst for God, for the ultimate meaning of life. And in the desert people of faith are needed who, by the example of their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive.’ In these situations we are called to be living sources of water from which others can drink. At times, this becomes a heavy cross, but it was from the cross, from his pierced side, that our Lord gave himself to us as a source of living water. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope!

Commentary on the Pope Francis Passage From Evangelii Gaudium

Pope Francis speaks of the need for “people of faith” who will “point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive.” These are people who have not lost sight of the ultimate destination of our journey, even when we find ourselves in the midst of a spiritual desert.

The desert is a metaphor for those times in our lives when we feel lost, alone, and without hope. It is a place where our faith is tested and our beliefs are challenged. But it is also a place where we can rediscover the essential things in life, such as love, compassion, and hope.

In the desert, we are called to be “living sources of water” for others. This means that we must allow our own faith to be a source of strength and inspiration for those around us. It means that we must be willing to share our stories of hope and resilience, even when we are struggling ourselves.

It is not always easy to be a “people of faith” in the desert. But it is essential if we want to keep hope alive for ourselves and for others. As Pope Francis says, “let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope!”

The theme of belief and faith is central to Pope Francis’s quote. He speaks of the need for people who will “point out the way to the Promised Land” and “keep hope alive.” This suggests that faith is not simply about believing in certain doctrines or dogmas. Rather, faith is about a journey of hope and discovery. It is about finding our way through the desert and reaching the Promised Land.

The quote also suggests that faith is not something that we can find on our own. We need the support and guidance of others who share our journey. We need “people of faith” who will show us the way and keep us going when we are tempted to give up.

In a world that is often dark and uncertain, faith can be a beacon of light. It can give us hope when we are feeling lost and alone. It can help us to find our way through the desert and reach the Promised Land.

The Joy of the Gospel

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