The choice isn’t a simple one, said the cardinal. “Following Christ is not cost free, not always easy, because it requires struggling against what St. Paul calls “the flesh,” our fat relentless egos, old fashioned selfishness. It is always a battle, even for old people like me!”
Commitment brings fulfillment
He encouraged the youth not to sit on the fence, “keeping your options open, because only commitments bring fulfillment. Happiness comes from meeting our obligations, doing our duty, especially in small matters and regularly, so we can rise to meet the harder challenges. Many have found their life’s calling at World Youth Days.”
“I expect that in the next five days of prayer and celebration that your spirits will rise, as mine always does, in the excitement of this World Youth Day. Please God we shall all be glad that we participated, despite the cost, hassles and distances traveled. During this week we have every right to rejoice and celebrate the liberation of our repentance, the rejuvenation of our faith. We are called to open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. And to the young ones I give a gentle reminder that in your enthusiasm and excitement you do not forget to listen and pray!”
The cardinal concluded by forewarning the young pilgrims that the World Youth Day celebrations would quickly pass and they would soon return to their normal routine.
“Briefly we are now here in Sydney at the center of the Catholic world, but next week the Holy Father will return to Rome, we Sydneysiders will return to our parishes, while you, now visiting pilgrims, will go back to your homes in places near and far.”
“But when we part after these happy days, let us never part from our loving God and his Son Jesus Christ. And may Mary, Mother of God, whom we invoke in this World Youth Day as Our Lady of the Southern Cross, strengthen us in this resolution.”
For the full text of Cardinal Pell’s homily, please click here or visit http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/sydney08/resource.php?res_id=624