The opening mass is impressive. So is the theme for WYD: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" as Acts 1:8 records the words of the resurrected Jesus. This gathering is certainly a show of mass and so popular power. Is this then the sign of the power of the Holy Spirit? We'll come back to that, but first let's read what Benedict actually says in his opening address.
There are actually clear statements from the Pope himself on what he hopes the WYD event will do. Take for example:
"There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognised in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts."
Benedict is concerned with the yearning within many hearts of young and old and declares that the "Good News", or simply the Gospel, of Jesus is the answer to these longings. Indeed he goes on to express his desired outcome from WYD:
"It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ, and sharing with others the love that the Spirit pours into their hearts, so that they, too, will be filled with hope and with thanksgiving for all the good things they have received from our heavenly Father."
He longs for Catholics (obviously these are the addressees) to share the joy of knowing Jesus and the love given as a result of the Spirit in their hearts, so that others can have the same hope.
Benedict includes other global concerns such as the environment, poverty, justice and human conflict in his stack of problems and suggest this answer:
"Where can we look for answers?
The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. "
On these superficial snippets alone, I am in total agreement with the Pope. I can honestly say that the ultimate work of God's Spirit, is to point people toward Jesus, to submit to this resurrected Lord and trust in this perfect Saviour. If that is the Pope's prayer and understanding of the Spirit, my prayers will echo that.
Many things will come out of this WYD week. Sydney-siders face traffic, they will meet complete strangers and foreigners, they will smell incense if they are close enough, they will form relationships and friendships, and perhaps, some Sydney-siders will begin to ask questions about their own beliefs. We are a post-God, post-Christian city. Most of us acknowledge the big questions and problems in life, but our main answer and purpose is escape through wealth, fine-dine, fun, achievement and even meaningful relationships and friendships. In the end, people are still left to face the same big questions that have been temporarily hidden.
When 150,000 or more strangers, who profess at the least a belief in God, come into our midst, we should not just laugh it off. Most of the world, if they knew about our rejection of God, would probably laugh back at us. From my seat, I do not laugh about our rejection of God. I eagerly pray, that at least this WYD week will jolt slumbering Sydney-siders to think and ponder again at what life is like with God? More than that, is there a truth about Jesus that really satisifes? I think there is, and so does, it appears, Benedict. Look through the masses, the Mass, the bells and smells, as they are irrelevant at best or wrong at worst, and look at the historic biblical Jesus. His life, death and resurrection offers this:
"I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
And when you find truth in this statement, you will have truly experienced the power of the Spirit. Then WYD would have been worth the while.
No comments:
Post a Comment