Pope to the young: the Bible, a compass that indicates the path to follow
Message for this year's World Youth Day, which will be celebrated at the diocesan level on Palm Sunday.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) A greater familiarity with the Bible, learning and listening to the Word of God "so that it can be your compass pointing out the road to follow": this is how Benedict XVI explained, in view of the annual World Youth Day which will be celebrated at the diocesan level on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2006, the theme for this year's edition: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". As the Pope pointed out in his message for World Youth Day released today, it is a verse of Psalm 119 on which "our dearly beloved John Paul II commented, 'The one who is praying pours out his thanks for the Law of God that he adopts as a lamp for his steps in the often dark path of Life.' God reveals himself in history," Benedict XVI added, "He speaks to humankind, and the word he speaks has creative power. The Hebrew concept 'dabar', usually translated as 'word', really conveys both the meaning of word and act. God says what he does and does what he says."
Speaking directly to the young, the Pope calls on them "to love the word of God and love the Church" and went on to say that "it is not easy to recognise and find authentic happiness in this world in which we live, where people are often held captive by the current ways of thinking. They may think they are 'free', but they are being led astray and become lost amid the errors or illusions of aberrant ideologies. 'Freedom itself needs to be set free' (cf Encyclical Veritatis Splendor, 86), and the darkness in which humankind is groping needs to be illuminated. Jesus taught us how this can be done: 'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free' (Jn 8:31-32). The incarnate Word, Word of Truth, makes us free and directs our freedom towards the good. My dear young friends, meditate often on the word of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. You will then discover that God's way of thinking is not the same as that of humankind's. You will find yourselves led to contemplate the real God and to read the events of history through his eyes. You will savour in fullness the joy that is born of truth."
"On life's journey, which is neither easy nor free of deceptions," the message states, "you will meet difficulties and suffering and at times you will be tempted to exclaim with the psalmist: "I am severely afflicted" (Ps 119 [118]. v. 107). Do not forget to add as the psalmist did: "give me life, O Lord, according to your word... I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law" (ibid. vv. 107; 109). The loving presence of God, through his word, is the lamp that dispels the darkness of fear and lights up the path even when times are most difficult."
Benedict XVI also quotes the author of the Letter to the Hebrews: "Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart' (4:12). It is necessary to take seriously the injunction to consider the word of God to be an indispensable 'weapon' in the spiritual struggle. This will be effective and show results if we learn to listen to it and then to obey it."
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02/06/2006
