Vatican City, 28 February 2014 (VIS) –
This morning the Holy Father received in audience the Commission for
Latin America, which today concluded its plenary session. Pope
Francis emphasised that the Commission has dedicated its work during
these days to the millions of young people in Latin America and the
Caribbean “who live in conditions of 'educational emergency' and
for whom it is necessary to pose the fundamental question of the
'traditio' of faith and how the Church wishes to imitate Jesus in His
approach to the young”.
“It is worth following the example
Jesus Christ gives us”, he repeated, “an example of commitment,
of service, of selfless love, of the struggle for justice and truth.
The Holy Mother Church is convinced that the best teacher for the
young is Jesus Christ. She wishes to instil in them these same
sentiments, showing them how beautiful it is to live as He did,
banishing selfishness and allowing oneself to be drawn by the beauty
of goodness. He who truly knows Jesus does not stay on the couch, but
rather takes on His style of life, becoming a missionary disciple of
His Gospel, bearing enthusiastic witness to faith, and sparing no
sacrifice”.
The Pope recalled Jesus' encounter with
the rich youth, and emphasised three aspects. First, welcome: Jesus'
first gesture, and also ours, it precedes every form of instruction
or apostolic mission. “Be close to the young in every area of life:
in school, family, work. … Many young people experience serious
problems. They face difficulties in school, unemployment, loneliness,
the bitterness of disunited families. These are difficult moments, in
which they experience frustration and helplessness; they become
vulnerable to drug abuse, sex without love, violence ... we must not
abandon the young, or leave them at the roadside; they have a great
need to feel valued in their dignity, surrounded by affection, and
understood”.
Secondly, Pope Francis spoke about the
importance of frank and cordial dialogue, just as Jesus listened to
the youth's worries and helped to clear them up. “Jesus listened,
without condemning; he was without prejudice, he did not speak about
the usual things. In the same way, the young want to feel at home in
Church. Not only must the Church open her doors to them; she must
actively seek them”.
Finally, the Pontiff underlined the
invitation that Jesus makes to the youth to follow him, and
emphasised the need for the young to hear this invitation. They must
hear that Christ is not a character in a novel, but a living person,
who wants to share their irrepressible desire for life, commitment,
and dedication. If we content ourselves with offering them mere human
comfort, we let them down. It is important to offer them the best we
have: Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and with Him, a new horizon, which
enables them to face life with coherence, honesty and
high-mindedness. They see the evils of the world and do not keep
quiet, they place their finger on the wound and ask for a better
world, admitting no substitutes. They want to be in control of their
present and builders of a future in which there is no place for lies,
corruption and the lack of solidarity. … The Church in Latin
America must not squander the treasure of youth”.
Before concluding, the Pope urged the
Commission to face this challenge with resolve. “The young are
waiting for us. We must not let them down”.
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