杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

杏MAP导航 Francis released his third message for the 37th World Youth Day (WYD) on Monday. In this final message of a trilogy, the Holy Father recalls the theme of the last WYD, held in 2019 in Panama: 鈥淚 am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word鈥� (Lk 1:38). 

鈥淎fter that event, we resumed our journey towards a new destination 鈥� Lisbon 2023 鈥� with hearts afire with God鈥檚 urgent summons to 补谤颈蝉别鈥�, noted the 杏MAP导航.

Over the last few years, in each message, we have reflected on numerous themes, with, in common, the word 鈥渁rise鈥�. 鈥淚t is a word鈥�, stressed the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢hat also speaks to us of getting up from our slumber, waking up to the life all around us.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 noted that in these troubling times of pandemic and war 鈥淢ary shows to all of us, and especially you, young people like herself, the path of proximity and encounter.鈥�

The Holy Father then expressed his hope that the experience many young people will have in Lisbon for WYD in August 2023 will 鈥渞epresent a new beginning for you鈥� and for humanity as a whole.

WYD 2023, to be held in Lisbon, was postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mary arose

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to note that, after the Annunciation, Mary could have focused on herself, but that 鈥渋nstead, she entrusted herself completely to God鈥�. She arises and sets out, for she is certain that God鈥檚 plan is the best plan for her life, stressed the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淢ary鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥渂ecomes a temple of God, an image of the pilgrim Church, a Church that goes forth for service, a Church that brings the good news to all!鈥�

In the accounts of the resurrection, we often encounter two words: 鈥渁wake鈥� and 鈥湶拱�颈蝉别鈥�, noted the 杏MAP导航. 

鈥� and went with haste

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to note that, in his commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Saint Ambrose of Milan writes that Mary set out in haste towards the hills, 鈥渂ecause she rejoiced in the promise and sought to serve others with the enthusiasm born of her joy鈥�. Mary鈥檚 haste is thus a sign of her desire to serve, explained the 杏MAP导航.

When faced with concrete and urgent needs, we need to act quickly, stressed the 杏MAP导航, asking, "what kinds of 'haste' do you have, dear young people?"

Healthy haste drives us always upwards and towards others

The 杏MAP导航 went on to note that there is a difference between a healthy haste, which drives us upwards 鈥渁nd towards others鈥� and an unhealthy haste 鈥渨hich can drive us to live superficially and take everything lightly.鈥�

Nearing the end of his message, the 杏MAP导航 reminded young people around the world that 鈥渘ow is the time to set out in haste towards concrete encounters, towards genuine acceptance of those different from ourselves.鈥�

All together to Lisbon!

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his hope that the young people planning to attend WYD may be able to 鈥渆xperience anew the joy of encountering God and our brothers and sisters.鈥�

鈥淎fter a long period of social distancing and isolation, we will all rediscover in Lisbon 鈥� with God鈥檚 help 鈥� the joy of a fraternal embrace between peoples and generations, an embrace of reconciliation and peace, an embrace of new missionary fraternity!"

Like Mary, concluded the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渓et us 鈥榓rise and go in haste鈥�."