Evangelium Vitae 1: Introduction to the Gospel of Life.
1. The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as “good news” to the people of every age and culture.
At the dawn of salvation, it is the birth of a child which is proclaimed as joyful news: “I bring you tidings of great joy which will come to all the people ; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10-11). The source of this “great joy” is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every child born into the world. (cf Jn 16:21).
When he presents the heart of his redemptive mission, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). In truth, he is referring that that “new” and “eternal” life which consists in communion with the father, to which every person is called in the Son by the power of the Sanctifying Spirit. It is precisely in this “life” that all the aspects and stages of human life achieve their full significance.
