But the genius of Francis is that he has re-crafted his own words into a profound document. The Joy of the Gospel may not contain much that, strictly speaking, is new in itself but together its pages point to a fresh way forward for the Church. In addition to promoting familiar themes — mercy, peace, humility, compassion — the document rings with the unmistakable and folksy voice of Francis as he calls for a Church that is on the streets “bruised, hurting and dirty,” and reminds us that an “evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral!”
An apostolic exhortation is less weighty than a papal encyclical, but it is nonetheless an authoritative papal document in which a pope demonstrates leadership on important matters.The Joy of the Gospel reflects the thoughts of Francis following the 2012 Synod of Bishops on new evangelization. Unsurprisingly, Francis tackled his first major writing assignment his own way and produced 50,000 words that are tantamount to a sweeping agenda for his papacy.
Early in his papacy, Francis has raised eyebrows for some apparent off-the-cuff remarks in homilies and interviews.
He has made statements that have been open to interpretation or, sometimes, misinterpretation. But there is nothing equivocal about his apostolic exhortation. Communicating in the down-to-earth manner that has won admiration from believers and non-believers alike, Francis pretty much confirms that we heard him right the first time.
He is unhappy with the status quo and longs for a renewal that will make the Church hierarchy more “mission oriented” and will propel Catholics into a “revolution of tenderness.” He is not proposing changes to Church doctrine.
His focus is on priorities and attitudes. It’s about recovering “the original freshness of the Gospel” and moulding a Church that can launch a “new phase of evangelization, one marked by enthusiasm and vitality.”
This Church would de-emphasize the Vatican establishment, reject “excessive clericalism,” expand the role of the laity, particularly women, and never be a “worldly Church with superficial spiritual and pastoral trappings.” It would be a Church that embodies the fundamental beauty, hope and joy of the Gospel, and gives daily witness to Christian values as a first priority in reaching out with compassion to the poor and the weak.
Where this will lead remains unclear. It’s less about finding a new path than rediscovering the old, with Francis out front and inviting us to follow.