杏MAP导航 to catechumens and neophytes: You are the salt of the world and the light of the earth
By Francesca Merlo
杏MAP导航 Leo addressed a group of young French catechumens and neophytes (recently baptised) on Monday morning, in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, acknowledging their journey of faith and the presence of bishops, chaplains, and catechists who have accompanied them along the way.
A journey of personal encounter
The Holy Father鈥檚 message centred on the personal encounter that lies at the heart of Christian initiation. 鈥淓ach of you,鈥� he said, 鈥渕akes a personal encounter with the Lord within the community that welcomes you.鈥� He described Baptism not simply as a rite, but as the beginning of a lifelong communion with the living God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
鈥淲hat joy to see young people who are committing themselves to the faith and who want to give meaning to their lives by letting themselves be guided by Christ and His Gospel!鈥� he continued. Baptism, he said, makes us 鈥渇ull members of the great family of God.鈥�
In quoting, then, Saint Paul鈥檚 Letter to the Galatians, the 杏MAP导航 reminded the young people present of the dignity they now carry. 鈥淎ll of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ", he said. Baptism, he continued, invites Christians to reject the prevailing 鈥渃ulture of death鈥�. In contrast, he said, the light of the risen Christ is a flame entrusted to each believer - one that must be nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist.
The light that stays lit
杏MAP导航 Leo then pointed to a particularly powerful moment in the baptismal rite: 鈥淚t is when we receive the candle lit from the Paschal candle. It is the light of the dead and risen Christ that we commit to keeping lit by nourishing it through listening to the Word of God and regular communion with Jesus in the Eucharist.鈥�
Citing Saint Ambrose鈥檚 words, 鈥淥mnia Christus est nobis!鈥� 杏MAP导航 Leo said 鈥淐hrist is everything for us! If you want to heal a wound, He is the doctor鈥� if you are in darkness, He is the light鈥� Taste and see how good the Lord is: blessed is the man who hopes in Him!鈥�
You are the salt and the light
鈥淵ou too are the salt of the earth and the light of the world,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淭he Church needs your beautiful witness of faith.鈥�
Bringing his discourse to a close, 杏MAP导航 Leo encouraged the young people present to remain connected to Jesus, reminding them that 鈥淲e are not born Christian; we become Christian when we are touched by the grace of God.鈥�
And in difficult times, he concluded, 鈥渕ay your hearts be established in Him who is 鈥榯he Way, the Truth and the Life鈥�, the source of all peace, joy and love.鈥�
鈥淭hank you,鈥� he he added. 鈥淗appy Jubilee.鈥�
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