Francis Pope - Dont Be Afraid to Say Yes to God!: Pope Francis Speaks to Young People with reflections by Fr. Mike Schmitz

Dont Be Afraid

to Say Yes to God!

Pope Francis Speaks to Young People

With Reflections
by
Fr. Mike Schmitz

Copyright 2018 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Compilation Copyright 2018 by The Word Among Us Press

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eISBN: 978-1-59325-503-9

Pope Franciss homilies and addresses are taken from the Vatican translation and can be found on the Vatican website, www.vatican.va. Used with permission of Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Scripture texts used in this work are taken from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1965, 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
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Contents

Letter to Young People

Letter to Young People on the Occasion of the Presentation of the Preparatory Document of the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Given at the Vatican, January 13, 2017

My Dear Young People,

I am pleased to announce that in October 2018 a Synod of Bishops will take place to treat the topic: Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. I wanted you to be the center of attention, because you are in my heart. Today, the Preparatory Document is being presented, a document which I am also entrusting to you as your compass on this synodal journey.

I am reminded of the words which God spoke to Abraham: Go from your country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 12:1). These words are now also addressed to you. They are words of a Father who invites you to go, to set out towards a future which is unknown but one which will surely lead to fulfillment, a future towards which He Himself accompanies you. I invite you to hear Gods voice resounding in your heart through the breath of the Holy Spirit.

When God said to Abram, Go! what did he want to say? He certainly did not say to distance himself from his family or withdraw from the world. Abram received a compelling invitation, a challenge, to leave everything and go to a new land. What is this new land for us today, if not a more just and friendly society which you, young people, deeply desire and wish to build to the very ends of the earth?

But unfortunately, today, Go! also has a different meaning, namely, that of abuse of power, injustice and war. Many among you are subjected to the real threat of violence and forced to flee your native land. Their cry goes up to God, like that of Israel, when the people were enslaved and oppressed by Pharaoh (cf. Exodus 2:23).

I would also remind you of the words that Jesus once said to the disciples who asked him: Teacher [], where are you staying? He replied, Come and see (John 1:38). Jesus looks at you and invites you to go with him. Dear young people, have you noticed this look towards you? Have you heard this voice? Have you felt this urge to undertake this journey? I am sure that, despite the noise and confusion seemingly prevalent in the world, this call continues to resonate in the depths of your heart so as to open it to joy in its fullness. This will be possible to the extent that, even with professional guides, you will learn how to undertake a journey of discernment to discover Gods plan in your life. Even when the journey is uncertain and you fall, God, rich in mercy, will extend his hand to pick you up.

In Krakw, at the opening of the last World Youth Day, I asked you several times: Can we change things? And you shouted: Yes! That shout came from your young and youthful hearts, which do not tolerate injustice and cannot bow to a throw-away culture nor give in to the globalization of indifference. Listen to the cry arising from your inner selves! Even when you feel, like the prophet Jeremiah, the inexperience of youth, God encourages you to go where He sends you: Do not be afraid, [], because I am with you to deliver you (Jeremiah 1:8).

A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who proposes bold choices; do not delay when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master. The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls. St. Benedict urged the abbots to consult, even the young, before any important decision, because the Lord often reveals to the younger what is best (Rule of St. Benedict, III, 3).

Such is the case, even in the journey of this Synod. My brother bishops and I want even more to work with you for your joy (2 Corinthians 1:24). I entrust you to Mary of Nazareth, a young person like yourselves, whom God beheld lovingly, so she might take your hand and guide you to the joy of fully and generously responding to Gods call with the words: Here I am (cf. Luke 1:38).

With paternal affection,

FRANCIS

Prayer for Young People in View of the Forthcoming Synod of Bishops 2018

Lord Jesus, in journeying towards the Synod, your Church turns her attention to all the young people of the world. We pray that they might boldly take charge of their lives, aim for the most beautiful and profound things of life, and always keep their hearts unencumbered. Accompanied by wise and generous guides, help them respond to the call you make to each of them, to realize a proper plan of life and achieve happiness.

Keep their hearts open to dreaming great dreams and make them concerned for the good of others. Like the Beloved Disciple, may they stand at the foot of the cross, to receive your Mother as a gift from you. May they be witnesses to your resurrection and be aware that you are at their side as they joyously proclaim you as Lord. Amen.

LOsservatore Romano, April 14, 2017

Introduction

July 2017 marked the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Henry David Thoreau. He lived only forty-five short years on this planet and rarely ventured far from Concord, the small town in Massachusetts where he was born. And yet, while he never wrote any symphonies, never built anything marking the New York City skyline, never invented anything or ran an important company, this man influenced not only his own generation of artists and builders, politicians and business people, he has also influenced many who have lived in the two centuries since his birth.

What was it about this man and his thinking that has had such an impact on so many? A quote from his book Walden demonstrates Thoreaus ability to connect with his contemporaries and with us: The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation. Think about that for a moment. Does this sound like people you know? Does this sound like you? Henry David Thoreau placed his finger on one of the hidden and unspoken truths that many of us experience on a daily basis.

Of course, these days we are super good at avoiding deep thoughts about desperation, or meaning, or similar unsettling ideas. We can distract ourselves with our personalized and immediate music stations (think Pandora or Spotify), our personalized and immediate TV shows or movies (think Netflix or Hulu), or our personalized and immediate websites (think Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). None of those things are bad. Access to great music, entertainment, and digital connection with our friends and family is a gift! But too often these things not only distract us from having to think about the kind of life we are living, but they also