Post World Youth Day
The 2008 World Youth Day (WYD) in Australia was like a tsunami, a spiritual tsunami! But unlike the tsunami, there have been lots of preparations in the various dioceses in Australia and also around the world for this event. I am now here in Australia at the phase 3 of the WYD i.e. the post-celebrations. Like the tsunami, I do feel the ‘after effects’ of this great event which was brilliantly initiated by the great well loved Pope John Paul II. The people here in Australia still do talk about it. It’s only about a month after the event, so it is still fresh in their minds. They are proud, happy and thankful for being given the chance to host it. It has been indeed a great opportunity to receive and give. I have been for 2 WYD (Manila-1995 and Rome-2000) but I do regret for not being able to be here during the WYD, graced by Pope Benedict XVI. Over the weekend, I attended 2 post 2008 WYD gatherings and heard lots of testimonies and sharing on how the WYD has greatly affected their lives.
The 1st gathering was with some young adults. It was a get-together at a club – food court (for us in Malaysia it would be like ‘lepaking at the mamak stall’). This gathering was organized by the Youth Mission Team with the idea to enable the young adults engage in fun and spiritual growth as how they have experienced during the WYD. The 2nd meeting was at the parish. Here we had a mix group-the seniors, adults, young adults, teenagers and the kids. Everyone shared their experiences; some being the host family to the pilgrims, some as the local pilgrims themselves and even the kids had something to say. They all shared how the preparations, the journey of the WYD Cross and Icon has been a great encounter with the Lord and how the WYD events at the week itself have been meaningful. Some could not even describe it with words, but with their expressions on their faces I could read their feelings of joy about the WYD which they have experienced.
Young Adults Gathering(L-R: Me, Joseph, Tim & Stephen)
Some of the people who came to the gathering at the parish.
The theme for the 2008 WYD is “you will receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) and from the testimonies of the people I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has indeed filled the hearts and enkindled the fire of His love among the hearts of the faithful. The challenge now is to keep the fire burning within, the challenge now is to share with others 'that' fire of love which the Spirit has filled in our hearts, and the challenge now is to be a witness. At the transfiguration of Jesus (Mt.17), the disciples felt so good and motivated that they wanted to remain there with the experiences of what they have encountered. But no, that’s not right! Jesus had to bring the disciples down the mountain; for it is down there (here), the mission is. (Jesus had to continue to do his work when he came down from the mountain. Ref -Mt.17:14) It is true; it is not Catholic to just remain 'there'! Our mission is to share. That is why at the end of each mass, after our encounter with the Lord through His Word, Eucharist and others, we are told to ‘Go forth to serve and love’. It is always difficult to ‘go, serve and love’, but Jesus assures us, just like how He assured the disciples at the transfiguration; “…but Jesus came and touched them, saying do not be afraid” (Mt.17:7).
We have heard this phrase “Do not be afraid” repeated many times in all WYD’s and it is still relevant today as we take now the challenge to keep the fire burning, to share with others and to be a witness, because Jesus has come, touched us all (through these experiences) and assured us not to be afraid.
