Vatican City (AsiaNews) – In his message for the 24th Diocesan World Youth Day, which falls on Palm Sunday, Benedict XVI urges young people not to be attracted by false illusions, but lead instead a life in which they bear witness to their faith in the world, acting as missionaries of Jesus.
“Let Christ dwell within you,” the Pope writes, “and having placed all your faith and trust in him, spread this hope around you. Make choices that demonstrate your faith. Show that you understand the risks of idolizing money, material goods, career and success, and do not allow yourselves to be attracted by these false illusions. Do not yield to the rationale of selfish interests. Cultivate love of neighbour and try to put yourselves and your human talents and professional abilities at the service of the common good and of truth, always prepared to ‘make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you’ (1 Pet, 3:15). True Christians are never sad, even if they have to face trials of various kinds, because the presence of Jesus is the secret of their joy and peace.”
In this year, dedicated to Saint Paul, Benedict XVI’s message found inspiration in the apostle’s own words, when the latter said: “We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim, 4:10). It is to them that the Pope refers when he says that the “question of hope is truly central to our lives as human beings and our mission as Christians, especially in these times. We are all aware of the need for hope, not just any kind of hope, but a firm and reliable hope, as I wanted to emphasize in the Encyclical Spe Salvi. Youth is a special time of hope because it looks to the future with a whole range of expectations. When we are young we cherish ideals, dreams and plans. Youth is the time when decisive choices concerning the rest of our lives come to fruition. Perhaps this is why it is the time of life when fundamental questions assert themselves strongly: Why am I here on earth? What is the meaning of life? What will my life be like? And again: How can I attain happiness? Why is there suffering, illness and death? What lies beyond death? These are questions that become insistent when we are faced with obstacles that sometimes seem insurmountable: difficulties with studies, unemployment, family arguments, crises in friendships or in building good loving relationships, illness or disability, lack of adequate resources as a result of the present widespread economic and social crisis. We then ask ourselves: where can I obtain and how can I keep alive the flame of hope burning in my heart?”
“[P]olitics, science, technology, economics and all other material resources are not of themselves sufficient to provide the great hope to which we all aspire. This hope ‘can only be God, who encompasses the whole of reality and who can bestow upon us what we, by ourselves, cannot attain’ (no. 31). This is why one of the main consequences of ignoring God is the evident loss of direction that marks our societies, resulting in loneliness and violence, discontent and loss of confidence that can often lead to despair.”
“The crisis of hope is more likely to affect the younger generations. In socio-cultural environments with few certainties, values or firm points of reference, they find themselves facing difficulties that seem beyond their strength.”
For the Holy Father many young people are “wounded by life. They often suffer from personal immaturity caused by dysfunctional family situations, by permissive and libertarian elements in their education, and by difficult and traumatic experience. For some – unfortunately a significant number – the almost unavoidable way out involves an alienating escape into dangerous and violent behaviour, dependence on drugs and alcohol, and many other such traps for the unwary. Yet, even for those who find themselves in difficult situations, having been led astray by bad role models, the desire for true love and authentic happiness is not extinguished. But how can we speak of this hope to those young people? We know that it is in God alone that a human person finds true fulfilment. The main task for us all is that of a new evangelization aimed at helping younger generations to rediscover the true face of God, who is Love.”
For Benedict XVI, Saint Paul’s human experience is an example to follow, especially his meeting with Jesus on the way to Damascus, an event which radically changed his life.
“For Paul, hope is not simply an ideal or sentiment, but a living person: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [. . .] He is the true hope: the Christ who lives with us and in us and who calls us to share in his eternal life. If we are not alone, if he is with us; even more, if he is our present and our future, why be afraid?”
The encounter with Jesus for the Pope is a journey in which praying, alone or in various communities, and the sacraments are important.
“If you find your sustenance in Christ, my dear young people, and if you live profoundly in him as did the Apostle Paul, you will not be able to resist speaking about him and making him known and loved by many of your friends and contemporaries. Be his faithful disciples, and in that way you will be able to help form Christian communities that are filled with love, like those described in the Acts of the Apostles. The Church depends on you for this demanding mission. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties and trials you encounter. Be patient and persevering so as to overcome the natural youthful tendency to rush ahead and to want everything immediately.”
In ending his message the Pontiff said: “My dear friends, follow the example of Paul and be witnesses to the Risen Christ! Make Christ known, among your own age group and beyond, to those who are in search of ‘the great hope’ that would give meaning to their lives. If Jesus has become your hope, communicate this to others with your joy and your spiritual, apostolic and social engagement.”
