The apostolic journey of Pope Francis to the Republic of Korea on the occasion of the 6th Asian World Youth Day, which he undertook from 13 to 18 August, left a powerful mark on the young people. I am referring in particular referring to the homily he delivered at the concluding Mass of the event in the square within the walls of the Castle of Haemi.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 50,000 young people from 23 countries, the Argentine Pope emphasised that the active witness of young people is decisive in the life of the Church. He said: “No one who sleeps can sing, dance or rejoice.”
Reflecting on the theme of the 6th Asian Youth Day – “Asian Youth! Wake up! The Glory of the Martyrs Is Upon You!” – Pope Francis told the young people that part of the theme portrays a duty and a responsibility whereas the remainder represents a consolation. He said: “The glory of the martyrs shines upon you!” but added that that part of the theme does not merely console, it also strengthens, since the martyrs’ witness is vivid proof that “the light of Christ’s truth dispels all darkness” because Christ is “the light of our lives”.
The onus of every youth committed to Jesus Christ is clear: “Asian Youth! Wake Up!” Belonging to Christ means participating responsibly in social life. The Pope reminded his young audience: “You have a right and a duty to take a full part in the life of your societies.”
Pope Francis helped the young people realise that they do this “as young people, not in Asia, but also as sons and daughters of this [Asian] great continent”.
That is why, according to him, Asian youths are not to be “afraid to bring the wisdom of faith to every aspect of social life”.
The Pope helped the young people understand that the Gospel possesses the power to “purify, elevate and perfect” Asia’s strong cultural heritage. In propagating the Gospel values to their society, young Catholics are called to still appreciate the many positive values of various Asian cultures. However, as good stewards of God’s grace, they should identify what is irreconcilable with their Catholic faith.
As he reflected on the word “youth”, the Pope encouraged the young people – who attended his Mass in large numbers – to “let Christ turn [your] natural optimism into Christian hope, [your] energy into moral virtue and [your] goodwill into genuine, self-sacrificing love.” This path, which all the youth were called upon to take, is capable of defeating everything that threatens hope, virtue and love in [your] lives and [your ] culture”. In fact, he said, it has the power to make the lives of “the youth a gift to Jesus and to the world”.
For Pope Francis, the young “are not only a part of the future of the Church, [they] are also a necessary and beloved part of the Church’s present.” As young Christians, the youth “are the present of the Church” whether at “work, study, at the start of a career or having answered calls to marriage, the religious life or the priesthood”.
It is true that in living a Christian life, young people will encounter many occasions that will tempt them. Nevertheless, the Argentinean Pope encouraged them – in these crucial situations – to ask for God’s help. “Lord, help me!” and the Lord will certainly and faithfully answer to “every plea for his help, with love, mercy and compassion”. Pope Francis said that the same must be done for others since “[they] are to be like Christ.”
Later on in his homily, the Pope explained the phrase “Wake up!” as being vigilant. This means that the young people are not to permit “pressures, temptations and sins of [themselves] or others to dull sensitivity to the beauty of holiness, to the joy of the Gospel”. The Pope said that God continually invites his children “to be glad and sing for joy”. The Holy Father spontaneously commented: “No one who sleeps can sing, dance or rejoice.” Hence, “Wake up. Go. Go. Go ahead.”
Dear young men and women, give heed to the call of Pope Francis! “Wake Up!”
Be merciful to others as God is merciful to you!
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap