One of the things I love about Pope Benedict XVI is that he
delivers a strong, inspirational message that, at the same time,
also challenges us towards fixing our shortcomings. His
message that he delivered today at the Papal Youth Rally up in
Yonkers was both encouraging and meaningful. He began by
highlighting the wonderful blessings that we in America enjoy, such
as freedom and democracy. He then reminded us that with such
blessings come responsibility, and that sometimes those
responsibilities are neither fun nor easy.
Pope Benedict’s main mantra this trip is “Christ our
Hope.” In his talk earlier today, Benedict explained part of
what he means by that. He said that active hope is
“participation in the faith.” This participation can come in a
myriad of forms. It can be prayer or attendance at mass, among
other things. Most specifically, though, a life of hope is a life a
charity. This really struck me. At St. John’s we are
called to be charitable in the spirit of St. Vincent de
Paul. I had never really considered this spirit of service as
being an expression of hope, but after he said that, it made a lot
of sense. After all, when we serve others we are acknowledging
the Christ within them, and where there is Christ, there is most
definitely hope.
Pope Benedict XVI warned us though, that we cannot let the idea
of “hope” blind us to the real problems interwoven in our society.
He called us, as Americans, to task. We are a country where
each year hundreds of inmates are executed, where thousands of
soldiers die, and where millions of unborn babies are
killed. These are serious issues that we have a Christian duty
to address and solve. They are not simple tasks and often they
seem overwhelming, but if we have faith in Christ, they can be
accomplished. He encouraged us to listen and then respond to
those around us. We are the youth, and hence the future, of
God’s Church on Earth. We have a lot riding on our
shoulders. But if we listen to our fellow brothers and sisters
and to God we will know the right way to go. We will be able
live a life of charity and thus a life of hope.
Although today was very long and, at parts, very boring, it was
an amazing day. To be surrounded by 20,000+ other young people
gathered to hear the Pope speak to us is such a phenomenal
experience. The energy level was high and the message clear.
Christ is our hope and Christ dwells within each of
us. Ultimately then, we are hope.