Holiness, the normal way for a Christian, not reserved for a select few, says Pope
June 2, 2012: Saturday morning, after a prayer service with priests and religious
of the Archdiocese of Milan, Pope Benedict XVI met young people about to receive Confirmation
The Pope told them to live on high ideals, and be saints! Holiness is the normal way
for a Christian and is not reserved for a select few, but open to all, the Pontiff
reminded them.
The Pope said that he was sure that they have made a good training
program, as this year is called "The spectacle of the Spirit." You have learned to
recognize the wonderful things that the Holy Spirit has done in your life and all
those who say "yes" to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, You found the great value of
Baptism, the first of the Sacraments, the gateway to Christian life, the Pope added.
Reborn
of water and the Holy Spirit, he continued, you become part of the family of the children
of God, you have become Christians, members of the Church.
The Pope then went
over the seven gifts of the Spirit in the context of life's journey as a tool to become
faithful and courageous witnesses of Jesus: - The wisdom, which reveals what the
Lord is good and great and makes life as the "salt of the earth"; - The gift of
intellect, to understand deeply the Word of God and the truths of faith; - The
gift of counsel, which leads to the discovery of God's plan for life; - The gift
of strength, to overcome the temptations of evil and do good, even when it is costly
sacrifice; - The gift of knowledge, which teaches to find the signs in creation,
the fingerprints of God and to work with the Gospel every day; - A gift of piety,
which keeps alive the flame in the heart of love for our Father in heaven, to pray
to Him every day with confidence and affection of his beloved children; - The seventh
and final gift is the fear of God, which means no fear of him, but feel a deep respect
for him and the desire to always do his will.
The whole Christian life is a
journey, how to walk a path that climbs a mountain in the company of Jesus with these
precious gifts of your friendship with him will become even more real and closer.
It is fed continuously with the sacrament of the Eucharist, in which we receive his
Body and his Blood, the Pope said and then he invited them to participate with joy
and faithfulness to Sunday Mass, when the whole community comes together to pray,
to listen to the Word of God and take part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
And
even draw close to the Sacrament of Penance to Confession: the encounter with Jesus
who forgives our sins and helps us to do good. Do not miss then your personal prayer
each day. Learn to talk to the Lord, Confide with him, tell him the joys and concerns,
and ask for light and support for your journey, the Pontiff reminded the youth.