Pivotal Moments 10 Years Ago

We live in a privileged moment in the history of the universal Church; this is the time of the New Evangelization — a comprehensive plan for the preaching of the Gospel and the renewal of human civilization. Pope Benedict XVI urgently invites every human person to share in this work by answering the question posed by Jesus to the Apostles on the road to Caesarea Philippi, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). This is the fundamental question of every human life, and one which results in the happiness for which God created us, becoming who He calls us to be, as we say with St. Peter: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16).

For many of us there are pivotal moments which spark the flame of faith. These might be conversations with a companion on the journey (Luke 24:13-24), they might be occasions when Sacramental encounters touch the depth of who we are and give us a sense of identity (Mark 1: 4 - 11), they might be our presence at an engagement, celebration, spiritual gathering which touches us, because not only are we there, but so too is God’s spirit. (Matthew 14:15-21.)

Ten years ago, the days of July 23-28, 2002 were such pivotal moments for thousands of young people who came to see an ailing Pope who sparked youthfulness of spirit in spite of an aged physical frame. During these blessed days of World Youth Day in Toronto, the flame of faith which truly permitted Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16) to not be a scriptural focus but a lived reality as companions in faith journeyed, Sacramental encounters occurred, and a spiritual gathering happened that touched so many - and continues to do so.

Not only are World Youth Days a lived legacy of Blessed John Paul II, a successor of Peter whose heroic witness and ardent example have impacted our faith for generations to come, but so too is a ministry which came from these days - Salt and Light Television. This Catholic media outlet is a beacon of the New Evangelization. This multi media ministry was begun in 2003 by young people who wanted to ask the important questions of life and faith, about a present and a future full of hope. Led by Father Thomas Roscia, and daily sparked by the energy of young adults who are daily living the call of the New Evangelization, Salt and Light Television continues to be a instrument of God’s grace, God’s love and God’s hope for all who come into contact with it.

One of these young adults who ministers there is a friend of mine who recently wrote of his experience at World Youth Day. I am pleased to link his story. I am pleased also to link my prayers to those of so many who continue to ask the Lord daily to allow the taste and spark of faith begun in those days of July in Toronto ten years ago, to never loose flavour or flame as we enter some of the most exciting and powerful days in the life of our Church. May Our Lady of the Visitation continue to be our inspiration, model and guide.

Spiritual Sounds

Most recently a friend of mine has got me hooked on Sirus Radio - in particular - the Catholic Channel. There are so many powerful and impacful programs there; and even a Canadian connection with Salt and Light Radio. The radio is a wonderful invention. For decades, man has marveled at the fact that a small little box can pick up speaking and singing from thousands of miles away. But you and I can do something far more wonderful than the radio. We can pick up the voice of God, if we will only tune in and listen.

Indeed, this is what praying means -- listening to God, as well as talking to Him. But unfortunately many of us never take time to listen to God. The only time we turn to Him is when we have a problem we want to tell Him about.

But God doesn’t just want to listen to us. He also wants to TALK to us. And he has various means at his disposal for doing just this. God speaks to us in every sermon and instruction. He tells us wonderful truths we can learn in no other way. He tells us about heaven and how to get there. When we listen carefully to a sermon, we are really listening in to God.

When you pick up a newspaper, magazine or book on religion, we are really tuning in to God. These various sources tell us about God’s church and its wonderful work. They tell us what people are doing for God, as if God were telling you to go out and do some of these things for Him. We should listen to God by filling our minds with a powerful and prayer message each day. This is not new; after all One day Jesus told the people who were crowding around Him: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Jesus says those same words to each of us. Our ears, our mind and our heart are like the delicate parts of a radio. They can pick up God’s voice. The more grace and spiritual power we have, the better we can hear. A radio without batteries or current, cannot pick up a single sound. Ask God to help you hear him clearly.

Try it today. Tune into station GOD. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you hear.