| MESSAGE OF JOHN PAUL II
" You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light Dear young people! 1. In my memory is still vivid memories of the wonderful moments we lived together in Rome during the Jubilee Year 2000, when you came on pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. In long silent lines have passed through the Holy Door and are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Evening Vigil and Morning Mass at Tor Vergata were moments of intense spiritual experience and the Church, strengthened in faith, you went to home with the mission I entrusted to you: to become, at the new millennium, courageous witnesses of the Gospel. The event of World Youth Day has become an important part of your life, and of the life of the Church. I urge you to get ready for the seventeenth edition of this great event, which will see its international celebration in Toronto, Canada, next summer. It will be a new opportunity to meet Christ, to witness to his presence in contemporary society and to become builders of the "civilization of love and truth." 2. " You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world ( Mt 5:13-14): This is the theme I have chosen for the next World Youth Day. The images of salt and light used by Jesus are complementary, and rich in meaning. In ancient times, salt and light were seen as essential elements of human life. " You are the salt of the earth ...". One of the main functions of salt, as is well known, is to season, to give taste and flavor. This image reminds us that, through Baptism, our whole being has been profoundly changed, because "seasoned" with the new life that comes from Christ (cf. Rom 6.4). The salt, thanks to which our Christian identity intact even in a highly secularized world is the grace of Baptism we are re, to live in Christ and become capable of responding to his call to "offer [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (Rom 12.1). Writing to the Christians of Rome, St. Paul urges them to show clearly that their way of living and thinking of their contemporaries: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to discern the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect "(Rom 12.2). For a long time, salt was also the means used to preserve food. As the salt of the earth, are called to keep the faith that you have received and pass it on intact to others. Your generation is post with particular force to meet the challenge of keeping intact the deposit of faith (cf. 2 Thess 2.15; 1 Tim 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14). Discover your Christian roots, learn the history of the Church, in-depth knowledge of the spiritual heritage that has been passed, followed the witnesses and teachers who have gone before you! Only by staying faithful to the commandments of God, the Covenant which Christ sealed with his blood shed on the Cross, will you be the apostles and witnesses of the new millennium. It is the human condition and, especially, the youth, to seek the Absolute, the meaning and fullness of life. Dear young people, be content with anything that is below the highest ideals! Do not be discouraged by those who are disillusioned with life and have grown deaf to the deepest and most authentic desires of their hearts. You have no reason to resign yourself to bland amusement to fads and simplistic designs. If you have an ardent desire for the Lord you will steer clear of the mediocrity and conformism so widespread in our society. 3. " You are the light of the world ... . For those who first heard Jesus, as for us, the symbol of light evokes the desire for truth and thirst for the fullness of knowledge, imprinted deep within every human being. When the light fades or vanishes altogether, no longer able to distinguish the surrounding reality. In the middle of the night we can feel frightened and insecure, and we impatiently await the arrival of the light of dawn. Dear young people, it's up to you to be the sentinels of the morning (cf. Is 21, 11-12) who announce the coming of the sun that is Christ risen! The light which Jesus speaks in the Gospel is that of faith, a free gift of God, which enlightens the heart and clarifies the mind: "God said," Let light shine out of darkness, "who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ " ( 2 Cor 4:6). That's why Jesus' words take on an extraordinary importance when explaining his identity and his mission: "I am the light of the world whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (Jn 8, 12). personal encounter with Christ bathes life in new light, we set out on the right track and we out to be his witnesses. The new mode, which comes from Him, to look people in the world and makes us more deeply into the mystery of faith, which is not just a collection of theoretical assertions to be accepted and approved by the intelligence, but an experience to assimilate a truth to be lived, the salt and the light of all reality (cf. Veritatis Splendor , 88). In the current context of secularization, in which many of our contemporaries think and live as if God did not exist or are attracted to irrational forms of religion, it is necessary that you, dear young people, that faith is a personal decision which involves all existence. The Gospel be the measure that guides the decisions and guidelines of your life! Then you will be missionaries with the gestures and words, and wherever you work and live, you will be signs of God's loving presence of credible witnesses of Christ. Do not forget: "No one lights a lamp and put it under a bushel" ( Mt 5:15)! as salt gives flavor to food and the light illuminates the darkness, so the holiness gives full meaning to life and makes it reflect God's glory many saints, even among young people, includes the history of the Church! In their love for God have their heroic virtues shine before the world, became models of life that the Church has held up for imitation by all. Among the many people, just remember: Agnes of Rome, Andreas of Phú Yên, Pedro Calungsod, Josephine Bakhita, Therese of Lisieux, Pier Giorgio Frassati, Marcel Callo, Francisco Castelló Aleu, or Kateri Tekakwitha, the young Iroquois called "the Lily of the Mohawks" . I pray that the Triune God, through the intercession of this great host of witnesses, make you holy, dear young people, the saints of the third millennium! 4. Dear friends, it's time to prepare for the XVII World Youth Day. We extend a special invitation to read and to deepen the Apostolic Letter Novo ineunte millennium, I wrote earlier this year to accompany the baptized in this new stage in the life of the Church and people: "A new century, a new millennium are opening in the light of Christ. not everyone can see this light. We have the wonderful task of becoming its "reflection" (No. 54). Yes, it's time for the mission! In your diocese and in your parishes, in your movements, associations and communities, Christ is calling you, the Church welcomes you home and school of communion and prayer. Study the Word of God and let it enlighten your mind and your heart. Draw strength from the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Visit the Lord in that "heart to heart" which is the Eucharistic adoration. Day after day, you will receive new energy to comfort those who suffer and to bring peace to the world. Many people are wounded by life, excluded from economic development, without a home, a family or a job, you lose a lot of false illusions, or have lost all hope. Contemplating the light that shines on face of the Risen Christ, you will learn to live as "children of light and sons of day" (1 Thessalonians 5.5), showing everyone that "the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth" ( Eph 5:9). 5. Dear young friends, for all who can make an appointment is in Toronto! In the heart of a multicultural and multi-faith, we shall speak of Christ the Saviour and the universality of the mystery of salvation which the Church is sacrament. Pray for full communion among Christians in truth and charity, in response to the pressing invitation of the Lord ardently desires "that all are one" (Jn 17:11). Come to resonate in the large arteries of Toronto with the joyful tidings that Christ loves all men, and completes every trace of goodness, beauty and truth found in the human city. Come and tell the world your joy of having found Jesus Christ, your desire to know him better, your commitment to proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth! The young people of Canada are already preparing to welcome you with warmth and great hospitality, together with their bishops and civil authorities. For this I thank you from my heart. May this first World Youth Day, the beginning of the millennium bring you all a message of faith, hope and love! My blessing goes with you to Mary, Mother of the Church, I commend each of you, your vocation and your mission. From Castel Gandolfo, 25 July 2001 IOANNES PAULUS II |
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