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Mary, the young woman of Nazareth

43. In the heart of the Church, Mary shines forth. She is the supreme model for a youthful Church that seeks to follow Christ with enthusiasm and docility. While still very young, she accepted the message of the angel, yet she was not afraid to ask questions (cf. Lk 1:34). With open heart and soul, she replied, 鈥淏ehold, I am the handmaid of the Lord鈥� (Lk 1:38).

44. 鈥淲e are always struck by the strength of the young Mary鈥檚 鈥榶es鈥�, the strength in those words, 鈥榖e it done鈥�, that she spoke to the angel. This was no merely passive or resigned acceptance, or a faint 鈥榶es鈥�, as if to say, 鈥榃ell, let鈥檚 give it a try and see what happens鈥�. Mary did not know the words, 鈥楲et鈥檚 see what happens鈥�. She was determined; she knew what was at stake and she said 鈥榶es鈥� without thinking twice. Hers was the 鈥榶es鈥� of someone prepared to be committed, someone willing to take a risk, ready to stake everything she had, with no more security than the certainty of knowing that she was the bearer of a promise. So I ask each one of you: do you see yourselves as the bearers of a promise? What promise is present in my heart that I can take up? Mary鈥檚 mission would undoubtedly be difficult, but the challenges that lay ahead were no reason to say 鈥榥o鈥�. Things would get complicated, of course, but not in the same way as happens when cowardice paralyzes us because things are not clear or sure in advance. Mary did not take out an insurance policy! She took the risk, and for this reason she is strong, she is an 鈥榠nfluencer鈥�, the 鈥榠nfluencer鈥� of God. Her 鈥榶es and her desire to serve were stronger than any doubts or difficulties鈥欌��.

45. Without yielding to evasions or illusions, 鈥渟he accompanied the suffering of her Son; she supported him by her gaze and protected him with her heart. She shared his suffering, yet was not overwhelmed by it. She was the woman of strength who uttered her 鈥榶es鈥�, who supports and accompanies, protects and embraces. She is the great guardian of hope鈥� From her, we learn how to say 鈥榶es鈥� to the stubborn endurance and creativity of those who, undaunted, are ever ready to start over again鈥�.

46. Mary was a young woman whose heart overflowed with joy (cf. Lk 1:47), whose eyes, reflecting the light of the Holy Spirit, looked at life with faith and treasured all things in her youthful heart (cf. Lk 2:19.51). She was energetic, ready to set out immediately once she knew that her cousin needed her. She did not think about her own plans, but went 鈥渨ith haste鈥� to the hill country (Lk 1:39).

47. When her young son needed protection, Mary set out with Joseph to a distant land (cf. Mt 2:13-14). She also joined the disciples in awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14). In her presence, a young Church was born, as the apostles went forth to give birth to a new world (cf. Acts 2:4-11).

48. Today, Mary is the Mother who watches over us, her children, on our journey through life, often weary and in need, anxious that the light of hope not fail. For that is our desire: that the light of hope never fail. Mary our Mother looks to this pilgrim people: a youthful people whom she loves, and who seek her in the silence of their hearts amid all the noise, the chatter and the distractions of the journey. Under the gaze of our Mother, there is room only for the silence of hope. Thus Mary illumines anew our youth.