In the Apostolic Exhortation Rejoice and Be Glad, Pope Francis shows us the path to holiness in today's world. Sadly holiness is a word that has little meaning in our world's culture.
The pope describes a world in 2018 in the exhortation as one filled with gloom and anxiety, a reality that today has only increased greatly: satisfaction in consumerism, individualism the lack of connection with others in the community, and strange forms of spirituality.
He does give us his remedy that has been present from the teachings of Christianity from the beginning. We live in a noisy aggressive world and he gives us five signs to judge ourselves on our progress in holiness. First is the practice of the virtues of perseverance, patience, and meekness when we experience anxiety and distress.
He gives us the words of St. John of the Cross: "Always prefer to be taught by all, rather than to desire to teach even the least of all...Rejoice in the good of others as if it were your own, and desire that they be given precedence over you in all things; this you should do wholeheartedly."
Secondly, he challenges us to live with joy and a sense of humor. The life of charity brings joy to our lives. We know we are infinitely loved.
Thirdly boldness and passion should be in our lives. We need to proclaim a different narrative than that which the world presents. Pope Francis wants us to exercise boldness and passion beyond our comfort zone and at the fringes of society. It is there that we will find Jesus.
The fourth sign of holiness is growth in community. When we do not live in community "we can grow too isolated, and lose our sense of reality and inner clarity and easily succumb."
Finally in constant prayer. "For each disciple, it is essential to spend time with the Master, to listen to his words, and to learn from him always. Unless we listen, all our words will be nothing but useless chatter."
In the path towards holiness, virtue has an important part to play. The Catechism has defined virtue as a "habitual and firm disposition to do good". The virtues help us habitually do what is good. They are the building blocks for Christian moral living— habits that are cultivated that become part of us.
In Korean the word translated virtue can also mean a gift from another a blessing, consequently the possibility of confusion as a disposition that one needs to cultivate with effort and not only a blessing that comes from the exterior.
"All of us can attain Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be"— St Francis de Sales.
