Sunday 19 June 2011

Finding true life...

Invocation saw a number of key-not speeches. Today's speaker - a consecrated layperson - talked of living in the world, but not being of it, and the importance of being true to your vocation in life: priestly, religious or lay. All vocations are equal in dignity; they are all different, but one is not 'more important' than the other.

Pope Benedict bestowed his Apostolic blessing on the gathering, and the presence of many bishops, along with the Nuncio himself today, demonstrates the vital importance the Church's hierarchy places on young people and discernment.

Today, I was reminded of something which was quite important to me on my vocational journey to seminary, which was Pope Benedict's homily at the opening of his pontificate 6 years ago. He said:

If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.

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