Reason for our joy

     The Holy Father has arrived in Madrid, Spain, for World Youth Day 2011.  At an opening prayer service in the evening, to hundreds of thousands of young people, Pope Benedict had much to say.  I would like to quote two paragraphs that touched my heart.

     "If you build on solid rock, not only your life will be solid and stable, but it will also help project the light of Christ shining upon those of your own age and upon the whole of humanity, presenting a valid alternative to all of those who have fallen short, because the essentials in their lives were inconsistent; to all those who are content to follow fashionable ideas, they take shelter in the here and now, forgetting true justice, or they take refuge in their own opinions instead of seeking the simple truth.

     Indeed, there are many who, creating their own gods, believe they need no roots or foundations other than themselves.  They take it upon themselves to decide what is true or not, what is good or evil, what is just and unjust; who should live and who can be sacrificed in the interests of other preferences; leaving each step to chance, with no clear path, letting themselves be led by the whim of each moment.  These temptations are always lying in wait.  It is important not to give in to them because, in reality, they lead to something so evanescent, like an existence with no horizons, a liberty without God.  We, on the other hand, know well that we have been created free, in the image of God, precisely so that we might be in the forefront of the search for truth and goodness, responsible for our actions, not merely blind executives, but creative co-workers in the task of cultivating and beautifying the work of creation.   God is looking for a responsible interlocutor, someone who can dialogue with him and love him.  Through Christ we can truly succeed and, established in him, we give wings to our freedom.  Is this not the great reason for our joy?  Isn't this the firm ground upon which to build the civilization of love and life, capable of humanizing all of us?"

     These are some of the great thoughts shared with the young people at WYD ... but words that ring true to all of us.  Our Holy Father is a great teacher, and we are blest.  World Youth Day is a great event, and we are blest.  If you get to watch any of the proceedings on EWTN or elsewhere, do so.  Especially the Stations of the Cross Friday evening (I remember the powerful Stations in Sydney three years ago.)

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     On a personal note, yesterday's post saw the readership reach the 5,000th hit.  I am overwhelmed, and most grateful for those who check out these reflections.  God bless you.