**Update: I found this article by Brandon Vogt to be helpful, because it gives a little bit of historical context and explanation! You might want to look over it before you read the document itself.
**Update #2: This thing is long! You may need to pace yourself. I've personally still got about 120 paragraphs to go. So worth it, though!
"The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism,
is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the
feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our
interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no
longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard,
the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.
This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up
resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled
life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has
its source in the heart of the risen Christ.
"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; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one
should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is
excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step
towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with
open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be
deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more,
to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me
once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him
whenever we are lost!"
(Evangelii Gaudium 2-3)
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