Te deseo la sonrisa: Para recuperar la alegría

by Pope Francis, Papa Francisco

En estas páginas, el Papa Francisco aborda uno de los temas más importantes de su la alegría. Porque la verdadera dicha proviene de una esperanza que nada ni nadie puede arrebatarnos.
 
«Sonreír es acariciar con el corazón». La alegría es un tema central de las enseñanzas del papa Francisco, aún más necesario en estos tiempos que corren. En unas páginas que son un mensaje para todos los hombres y mujeres del mundo, el pontífice afirma que Dios es dicha y la misericordia es la manifestación más profunda de la felicidad de Dios y el núcleo del mensaje cristiano. Las palabras del papa Francisco son una invitación a abrazar la verdadera belleza; a abrirse, encontrarse y compartir; a cambiar actitudes personales y sociales que fomentan la exclusión; a desenmascarar el descontento que se produce cuando nos encerramos en nosotros mismos; y a afrontar la vida con valentía y confianza, sin dejarse vencer por la tristeza y el pesimismo.
 
Los ocho capítulos de este libro abarcan el tema de la felicidad de manera humana y profunda, conscientes de que la verdadera alegría no es un sentimiento efímero ni ilusorio ni un antídoto para quienes ignoran el proviene de una esperanza concreta, que nada ni nadie nos podrá arrebatar. Es una alegría que tiene la última palabra, siempre. Y el deseo de compartir una sonrisa es el primer pequeño gran paso para vivirla, para renovarnos, para renacer.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

In these pages, Pope Francis addresses one of the most important themes included in his Joy. Because true happiness comes from a hope that nothing and no one can take away from us.
 
"To smile is to caress with the heart." Joy is a central theme in Pope Francis' teachings, and it’s even more important in these times. In this book, he offers a message for all the men and women of the world. The Pontiff affirms that God is joy, and that mercy is the deepest manifestation of God's happiness as well as the core of the Christian doctrine. Pope Francis' words are an invitation to embrace true beauty; to open up, gather, and share; to change any personal and social attitudes that foster exclusion; to expose and get rid of the discontent that arises when we close ourselves off; and to face life with courage and confidence, without giving in to sadness and negativity.
 
The eight chapters in this book focus on happiness in a very human and profound way, aware that true joy is not a short-lived or unreal feeling, or a cure for those who don’t know suffering. Joy comes from real hope, one that nothing and no one can take away from us. It is a type of joy that always has the last word. And the desire to share a smile is the first small step to live it, to renew ourselves, to be reborn.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Pope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; Spanish: Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a title he held ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European pope since the Syrian Gregory III, who died in 741.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He was accused of handing two priests to the National Reorganization Process during the Dirty War, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina, and the administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him a political rival. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March.

Throughout his public life, Pope Francis had been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He was credited with having a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and Ignatian aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler vestments void of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his piscatory ring, and keeping the same pectoral cross he had as Cardinal. He maintained that the church should be more open and welcoming. He did not support unbridled capitalism, Marxism, or Marxist versions of liberation theology. Francis maintained the traditional views of the church regarding abortion, euthanasia, contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women, and priestly celibacy. He opposed consumerism, irresponsible development, and supported taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato si'. In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Reviews

[Tom LA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an anthology (from the ancient greek “anthos” = flower. A collection of flowers) of Pope Francis’ speeches, homilies and letters.
I love the simplicity of his style, and, even more, the fact that it’s only an apparent simplicity, because Christianity is not “easy to understand”. It requires guidance, patience and love.

Here is a small example:

“ It is more difficult to let God love us than to love Him! The best way to love Him in return is to open our hearts and let Him love us.

Let Him draw close to us and feel Him close to us. This is really very difficult: letting ourselves be loved by Him. And that is perhaps what we need to ask today in the Mass: ‘Lord, I want to love You, but teach me the difficult science, the difficult habit of let ting myself be loved by You, to feel You close and feel Your tenderness ! May the Lord give us this grace.”

[Maite · Rating 3 out of 5]

D’aquesta lectura em queden algunes idees o pistes per recuperar el somriure: Compromís, servei, sortir d’un/a mateix/a, connexió amb Déu, esperança, pregària, viure el moment present amb consciència,
no tenir por…

Personalment no he gaudit el llibre com a peça literària. He vist trossos d’aquí i d’allà, de diferents xerrades, escrits, moments del papa Francesc, pregàries i una entrevista final.
Tot i així hi ha hagut pàgines concretes que m’han tocat el cor per les que m’alegra haver-lo llegit.

[Caty Rengifo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un conjunto de pensamientos, palabras y mensajes que se mueven entre ejes temáticos que nos permiten entender la posición del Papa y su visión.
Me lo leí en 3 días es fácil de leer y los mensajes me llegaron.

[Rodrigo Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of messages that Pope Francis has delivered in speeches, homilies, interviews, &c. It is not a catechetical book, but rather a walking through his thoughts, characterized by his shepherd style.

[Deborah Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo. Ci ricorda ancora che con l'amore si vince ogni cosa

[Some Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of deeply profound insights, delivered in small, digestible sections.

I was shocked that some reviews online considered parts of this book too 'socially progressive', however I encourage everyone to read it.

I've just finished it, reading it cover to cover in 3 days, but I will certainly be rereading it soon to use the questions and wisdom within as journalling and meditation prompts.

[Gonzalo Orejas]

Regalo Isolina

[Achille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semplice e profondo come le cose migliori

[Marie-Ange Van Avermaet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nederlandse titel: Ik wens je een glimlach. Leestip! Toevallig in de bib gevonden en ik dacht dat het misschien het lezen waard zou zijn. Ik denk dat ik het een tweede keer ga lezen.