A Gift of Joy and Hope by Pope Francis

'For those who seek moments to reflect on simple truths of journeying with Jesus, this volume has a welcome place on the contemplative bookshelf'

A Gift of Joy and Hope
By Pope Francis
Hodder and Stoughton
ISBN: 978-1-399-80282 6
Reviewed by Martin Poole

 
Of all the books I have ever reviewed this is the first by a Pope, and I feel could be considered above my pay grade. Our forbears would question even reading such a book. Perhaps had they done so there might have been greater understanding at the commonality of thought that exists in all who are seeking to follow Jesus. In Pope Francis words: 'Together we shall discover that there is no unexpected event, no difficult climb, no dark night that cannot be faced with Jesus by our side'.

Pope Francis’ book is written against the backdrop of the global Covid pandemic and seeks to open the way for the Christian to experience both joy and hope amidst the difficulties and tensions of life. He uses the analogy of the tapestry well known to most evangelical Christians describing how the underside can be the ragged strands of our life’s journey, as opposed to the face which declares a magnificent story from God’s perspective.

The book is essentially a compendium of sayings and writings by Pope Francis that have been grouped under different headings, and are probably best read as devotional writings over a period rather than straight through. An example is a couple of paragraphs which calls for Christians to weep, maintaining that our world today lacks the capacity to weep. Jesus’ example in showing compassion and weeping should make it impossible for the Christian to not shed tears for the marginalised be they victims of hunger, or homelessness, or abandoned abused exploited children.

Speaking as an evangelist the Pope concludes his writings with a call: 'If we open the door to Jesus and allow Him to be part of our lives, if we share our joys and sorrows with Him, then we will experience the peace and joy that only God, who is infinite love, can give'.

The book has a final section of prayers written by the Pope a couple of which are, maybe jarringly, addressed to Mary. There is one prayer however which hauntingly describes “The Crosses of the world”. The list of 16 crosses is extensive and includes 'people hungry for bread and for love, the elderly who lack the comfort of faith, the migrants who find doors closed in fear, the consecrated people who along the way have forgotten their first love'.

For those especially who seek moments to reflect on simple truths of journeying with Jesus, this volume has a welcome place on the contemplative bookshelf.
 

Martin Poole is a retired Baptist minister having served at Tabernacle Penarth, Godalming, and Eastleigh churches