Apostleship of Prayer

Hippolytus was a theologian and Pontian was pope. Unfortunately, they were enemies. Hippolytus struggled with several popes whom he thought were too lenient in dealing with heretics who repented. He even allowed himself to be elected the first “anti-pope.” But then they were both exiled to the island of Sardinia where they were reconciled and died from the mistreatment they received. In our reflection today, we conclude Pope Benedict’s remarks at the opening ceremony for the recent World Youth Day. His words remind us to pray that all may know God’s plan for humanity and for creation; may the knowledge of God’s plan and the Holy Spirit help all to become holy.

Dear friends, life is not governed by chance; it is not random. Your very existence has been willed by God, blessed and given a purpose (Genesis 1:28)! Life is not just a succession of events or experiences, helpful though many of them are. It is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful. It is to this end that we make our choices; it is for this that we exercise our freedom; it is in this – in truth, in goodness, and in beauty – that we find happiness and joy. Do not be fooled by those who see you as just another consumer in a market of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomes the good, novelty usurps beauty, and subjective experience displaces truth. Christ offers more! Indeed he offers everything! Only he who is the Truth can be the Way and hence also the Life. Thus the “way” which the Apostles brought to the ends of the earth is life in Christ. …

My dear friends, God’s creation is one and it is good. The concerns for non-violence, sustainable development, justice and peace, and care for our environment are of vital importance for humanity. They cannot, however, be understood apart from a profound reflection upon the innate dignity of every human life from conception to natural death: a dignity conferred by God himself and thus inviolable. Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses, and the pain of false promises. Our hearts and minds are yearning for a vision of life where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. This is the work of the Holy Spirit! This is the hope held out by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to bear witness to this reality that you were created anew at Baptism and strengthened through the gifts of the Spirit at Confirmation. Let this be the message that you bring from Sydney to the world!

Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 9:1-7, 10:18-22;  Psalm 113:1-6;  Matthew 18:15-20

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