4. The books of the Old Testament predicted

that the joy of salvation would abound in messianic

times. The prophet Isaiah exultantly salutes

the awaited Messiah: “You have multiplied

the nation, you have increased its joy” (9:3). He

exhorts those who dwell on Zion to go forth to

meet him with song: “Shout aloud and sing for

joy!” (12:6). The prophet tells those who have

already seen him from afar to bring the message

to others: “Get you up to a high mountain, O

herald of good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice

with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem”

(40:9). All creation shares in the joy of

salvation: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O

earth! Break forth, O mountains, into singing!

For the Lord has comforted his people, and will

have compassion on his suffering ones” (49:13).

Zechariah, looking to the day of the Lord,

invites the people to acclaim the king who comes

“humble and riding on a donkey”: “Rejoice greatly,

O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter

Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant

and victorious is he” (9:9).

Perhaps the most exciting invitation is that

of the prophet Zephaniah, who presents God

with his people in the midst of a celebration

overflowing with the joy of salvation. I find it

thrilling to reread this text: “The Lord, your God

is in your midst, a warrior who gives you the

victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he

will renew you in his love; he will exult over you

with loud singing, as on a day of festival” (3:17).

This is the joy which we experience daily,

amid the little things of life, as a response to the

loving invitation of God our Father: “My child,

treat yourself well, according to your means…

Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment”

(Sir 14:11, 14). What tender paternal love echoes

in these words!

(Evangelii Gaudium4)