Pope Francis on Joy

Pope Francis recently issued a long letter, called an Apostolic Exhortation, called Evangelium Gaudium (The Gospel of Joy) which is filled with warnings, encouragement, and challenges, all rooted in a pastor's love for the flock. He speaks in general how our religion, our Gospel is one of joy. These are some extracts from it:
“I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them.“
“People should seek to abandon the complacent attitude that says: ‘We have always done it this way’. I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities.”

On difficulties we have to face, Pope Francis writes: “Let us not say, then, that things are harder today; they are simply different. But let us learn also from the saints who have gone before us, who confronted the difficulties of their own day.“

Pope Francis meeting the Holy Spirit with great Joy

On Mercy he says - “Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”

He speaks about Joy - “Sometimes we are tempted to find excuses and complain, acting as if we could only be happy if a thousand conditions were met. To some extent this is because our ‘technological society has succeeded in multiplying occasions of pleasure, yet has found it very difficult to create, enhance and engender joy’.”
He speaks also of people going to confession..... “Penitents may not be joyful when they enter a confessional but possess boundless joy when they leave. Such is the working of grace.“
There’s a lot more to digest but these are just a few sentences that struck me as worth chewing on.