Pope asks young to heed Jesus’ missonary call

Last updated on: November 16, 2012 at 6:43 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope asks young to heed Jesus’ missonary call 2012-11-16T18:43:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Nov 16, 2012 / 11:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In anticipation of next July’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Benedict XVI is challenging young Catholics to be courageous missionaries to their peers.

“Dear young people, I would ask all of you to hear, in the depths of your heart, Jesus’ call to proclaim his Gospel,” the Pope said in a message issued Nov. 16.

Over 4,000 words long, his message meditated on the theme of the next World Youth Day, “Go and make disciples of all nations!” (Mt. 28:19). He urged young Catholics to live the universal Christian vocation to help others to know and love Christ and his Church.

The Pope emphasized that youth can be particularly effective missionaries by using their love for social media to proclaim their Catholic faith and values. This is an important way they can advance the New Evangelization discussed at last month’s synod of bishops in Rome, he noted.

“Learn how to use these media wisely,” he counseled. “Be aware of the hidden dangers they contain, especially the risk of addiction, of confusing the real world with the virtual, and of replacing direct and personal encounters and dialogue with internet contacts.”

Pope Benedict also emphasized that being a missionary is a deeply personal matter, requiring one to grow in faith in order to share it with others one-on-one. The act of sharing also aids one’s own personal journey of faith because proclaiming the Gospel helps a person become more deeply committed to Christ and grow in Christian maturity.

The essence of being a missionary means being attentive to Christ’s words, noted the Holy Father. Young people must look to him as the supreme teacher who calls his disciples to “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”

This means taking to heart the essence of Christianity, that God so loves mankind that he sent his Son to “free us radically from evil.” And it is this love that compels Christians to share this Good News with others.

Pope Benedict observed that young Catholics have an important field of missionary work among their peers, because many young people “seriously question whether life is something good, and have a hard time finding their way.”

The moment to become missionaries is now, the Pope told young people.

“Whenever you feel inadequate, incapable and weak in proclaiming and witnessing to the faith, do not be afraid,” he said. “Evangelization is not our initiative, and it does not depend on our talents. It is a faithful and obedient response to God’s call and so it is not based on our power but on God’s.”

Love is the impetus behind evangelization, he noted, allowing people to overcome the tendency toward self-absorption and bad habits, in order to courageously give others an encounter with God.

Pope Benedict finished his message by giving young Catholics ways to prepare to be missionaries. He encouraged them to learn the content of their faith, look to the examples of the saints, and sustain themselves with prayer and the sacraments.

In particular, he noted the great benefit afforded by Eucharistic adoration because “time spent in listening and talking with Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament becomes a source of new missionary enthusiasm.”

The 14th World Youth Day will be held from July 23–28 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil’s most populous city.

Vatican

Previous Post

November 16, 2012

Jerusalem bishop laments new Israeli-Palestinian violence

Next Post

November 16, 2012 Mexicans should draw on faith to confront country's problems

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who follows the rider of the Pale Horse in Revelation?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Four Winds The Saints Hades The Angel Gabriel