ARTICLE – Go Forth with Joy: Faith That Inspires

February 5, 2025 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

Throughout Scripture, faith is portrayed as something that stirs the soul with joy and enthusiasm. The Psalmist exclaims, “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song” (Psalm 100:1-2). The early Christians were known for their deep and passionate faith, even in times of hardship: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:46-47). Their joy was not superficial but rooted in a transformative encounter with the Risen Christ.

Pope Francis speaks often of a faith filled with joy, cautioning against a rigid or dour approach to evangelization: “An evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral!” (Evangelii Gaudium, 10). Likewise, Pope St. John Paul II encouraged creativity and passion in sharing the Gospel, highlighting the need for “new methods, new expressions, and new fervor” (Redemptoris Missio, 3). The Gospel itself is described as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith” (Romans 1:16), and its message resonates most when shared with authenticity and enthusiasm.

One of the challenges facing the Church is the risk of liturgy, teaching, and evangelization presenting itself as routine and boring. Worship, described as the “source and summit” of Christian life (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10), is meant to be a profound encounter with the living God—one that fills hearts with awe and wonder (CCC 2558). Similarly, catechesis flourishes when it engages both the heart and mind. As Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, “faith is not merely a set of ideas; it is an encounter with a person, Jesus Christ” (Deus Caritas Est, 1). When faith is reduced to mechanical rituals or intellectual concepts alone, its power to transform can be diminished.

A vibrant, engaging faith naturally draws others in, and the Church has many ways to foster this spirit:

Preaching That Inspires: Homilies have the power to move hearts, much like Jesus’ own teaching, which was filled with stories, questions, and insights that led people to deeper faith.
Liturgy That Uplifts: Worship can be an experience of joy and connection with Christ, enriched by songs, prayer, and participation that nourish the soul.
Evangelization Through Culture: The Gospel message can reach hearts in new ways through the arts, media, music and digital platforms, remaining faithful to its essence while speaking to today’s world.
A Spirit of Missionary Joy: The early Christians shared their faith with conviction and delight, embodying Pope Francis’ vision of a “Church that goes forth,” where every believer embraces their missionary call with enthusiasm (Evangelii Gaudium, 20).

The Church is a place of life and renewal, animated by the Holy Spirit, who is “the Lord, the giver of life” (Nicene Creed). Wherever the Spirit is present, there is energy, passion, and transformation. The lives of the saints—from St. Francis of Assisi to St. Teresa of Calcutta—offer countless examples of faith that is both deeply joyful and profoundly compelling.

The Holy Spirit breathes life into every aspect of the Church’s mission:

In Worship: Liturgy is meant to be an encounter with Christ, not just a routine, as the Spirit makes His presence known in the Eucharist and in the hearts of the faithful (CCC 1092).
In Community: Christian life flourishes in relationships filled with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
In Preaching: Powerful preaching is not about eloquence alone but about the Spirit working through the message, as St. Paul writes, “My message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

The mission of the Church is to radiate the beauty, truth, and joy of the Gospel. Faith is not meant to be burdensome or lifeless but something that brings life, renewal and hope. In the words of St. Paul: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com

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ARTICLE – Go Forth with Joy: Faith That Inspires

Throughout Scripture, faith is portrayed as something that stirs the soul with joy and enthusiasm. The Psalmist exclaims, “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song” (Psalm 100:1-2). The early Christians were known for their deep and passionate faith,

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