Aiming high

The World Youth Day in Madrid has been a major event of faith and joy. An impressive gathering of hundreds of thousands of young people who welcomed the Pope’s invitation undertook a journey to Madrid yearning for a profound faith experience. In Madrid they listened to the catechesis of their bishops, they lined up for confession and finally, the met the Successor of Peter. The youths returned to their homes and the WYD continues.The event was attended by some 2 million young people (an estimated 2 100,000 according to the organizing staff, one-and-a-half to 2 million according to the press), over one thousand bishops, approximately 12 thousand priests, thousands of religious and adult animators. Many more young people and adults followed the meeting on TV or via online webcasts. Indeed, each group arriving to Madrid had family and friends at home and I am sure they will fulfil the Pope’s invitation to share their experience and their enthusiasm with others upon their return. The fact that crowds of young people convened for the event will help each one of them to be more courageous. It will help them to be less afraid of being considered awkward by their peers. Although Catholics literally invaded the streets and the metro of Madrid for a week, we mustn’t gloat over triumph. Indeed, many youths convened, but they are just a minority of young people in the world. We cherish false hopes. We haven’t returned to Christianity. We continue being in a lay society, where most people are apparently non-interested in religion. Mission is urgent! Not only in terms of numbers were the youth visible. Their spiritual quest was equally evident. Only God knows what each one of them has experienced. But we can be sure that the great majority were there motivated by the yearning for a true personal encounter with Jesus in his Church, and they lived it. It was clearly perceived by bishops and priests in confessions and catechesis or in the Masses celebrated with various groups. But now we must make sure that enthusiasm thrives also in the midst of difficulties, preventing the return of the dichotomy between faith and life when schools begin or upon the pilgrims’ return to worldly affairs. Combining life and faith will be the sign of a well-lived experience. It was immediately clear that the Pope hadn’t come to waist his time. He aimed up high. It can be said that Benedict XVI has come to assume, in a personal dialogue with God, his vocation, and to make an experience of faith and belonging to the Church, to welcome the doctrine of the faith and the ethical code imparted by the Church. And young people didn’t get discouraged. They applauded, they agreed with the Pope. What Benedict XVI said reflected their hearts’ wishes. This demanding – albeit authentic – dialogue between the Pope and the youth contradicts the pastoral proposals according to which in order to “attract” young people the Church should change her ethical code and “follow” the times. There are no simple solutions to current challenges. As the Pope told the young religious, they appeal to the constitutive features of the faith. Now it is necessary to be creative, so as to maintain alive the words that were spoken and turn them into flesh and blood in the daily lives of the youth, and from them to the families and across society. Certainly, the WYD doesn’t solve all the problems of the youth, nor those of the Church. However, it remains a major thrust to the evangelization of Europe. Before numerous social, economic, cultural, affective and spiritual difficulties experienced by the youth, the WYD proves wrong those who considered the Church as a reality belonging to the past, those who view Church discourse as outdated, and incapable of reaching out to the youth. After Madrid it’s clear that the Church’s contribution to the world involves contemporary men and women, as well as the men and women of tomorrow. Now it is necessary to continue along this path. The life of the Church is accomplished in every day life and in the decisions taken minute by minute. We need special moments, like Peter, James and John who ascended Mount Tabor where they knew that even in difficulties they were on the right path. But after, it is necessary to descend and lead a normal life. The World Youth Day in Madrid is not enough, but it’s a great gift for Europe, and the Church will ensure that it doesn’t remain unheard. Those days have shown that where there is God – and God is always there for us – there is a full life. And this is the lesson that the youth together with the Pope have taught to the world.