(September 3, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging young people of the world to
take part in the World Youth Day celebrations from August 16-21, next year in Madrid,
Spain, saying the event is very important both for Europe and the universal Church.
“I would like all young people – those who share our faith in Jesus Christ, but also
those who are wavering or uncertain, or who do not believe in him – to share this
experience, which can prove decisive for their lives,” wrote Pope Benedict in a message
for the world youth day which the Vatican released on Friday. In a lengthy reflection
on the World Youth Day on the theme, “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in
the faith,” the Pope noted that part of being young is desiring something beyond everyday
life and a secure job, a yearning for something really truly greater. Yet, according
to the Pope, it is absurd to “think that we can truly live by removing God from the
picture.” “To set aside God is to deprive ourselves of fulfilment and joy,” he said.
The Pope noted that in some parts of the world, particularly in the West, today’s
culture tends to exclude God, and regard faith as a purely private issue with no relevance
for the life of society. “Even though the set of values underpinning society comes
from the Gospel – values like the sense of the dignity of the person, of solidarity,
of work and of the family –, we see a certain “eclipse of God” taking place, a kind
of amnesia which, albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity, is nonetheless
a denial of the treasure of our faith, a denial that could lead to the loss of our
deepest identity.” Thus the Pontiff encouraged the young to “strengthen their faith
in God” saying “it is vital to have roots, a solid foundation!” Pope Benedict observed
there is a growing mentality of relativism, which holds that everything is equally
valid, that truth and absolute points of reference do not exist. But, he warned,
that this way of thinking does not lead to true freedom, but rather to instability,
confusion and blind conformity to the fads of the moment. He exhorted young people
to build their lives “on rock”, “trusting in God”, in their “parents and families”,
rejecting “easier” and “deceptive” offers which cannot bring them “serenity and joy”.
The Holy Father urged young people to watch out against a “strong current of secularist
thought that aims to make God marginal in the lives of people and society by proposing
and attempting to create a ‘paradise’ without him”. He reminded them that “a world
without God becomes a “hell” filled with “selfishness, broken families, hatred between
individuals and nations, and a great deficit of love, joy and hope. On the other hand,
wherever individuals and nations accept God’s presence, then the civilization of love
is being built”.