A Light Shining in Darkness

In recent days, this author has encountered much difficulty in trying to find the "perfect" opportunity to write about Pope Benedict XVI's messages during the World Youth Day celebration.  Alas, the Holy Spirit has moved, and the hours of this day are passing more slowly than usual.  Thus, there is ample time and motivation to opine about the pontiff's clairvoyance.

Within the second reading of today's Mass (the Feast of the Transfiguration), two sentences provided the important link that had been missing from this over-exerted mind.  "Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.  You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."  The connection became so clear: Pope Benedict, who is the successor of the man who first articulated this truth (St. Peter), proclaimed a prophetic message to the world's young people; a message that was meant to shine light into the the pitch-black, secular culture found throughout the modern world.

In his welcome address, the pope extolled the "innate goodness" of God's human creatures, who are "crowned with glory and honor" (Ps. 8:5).  Listeners were reminded of the vast potential found within the human race: "advances in medical sciences and the wise application of technology," creative arts, recreational activities, etc.  Such achievements, precisely because they are good, create "profound joy and gratitude."  Why should they not be praised?  None of them are inherently opposed to God's will for human life, so they should be celebrated.

The pope went on to remind young people, however, that there is much evil to be found among those positive goods; a certain "poison which threatens to corrode what is good."  The primary avenue by which such poison has infiltrated our culture is disunity or, worse, false unity.  Moreover, the agent which seems to have bred false unity most quickly is relativism, the proverbial thorn in Benedict's side.  Indeed, relativism is an underlying cause of division, tension, and so much of the social sin that infects modern culture.  Relativism, Benedict asserted, is contrary to the "very principles which enable us to live and flourish in unity" (Vigil Message).

Although there were points at which this Successor of Peter decried abuses to human dignity, he was not content to focus on the negative things of this world.  Rather, his most ardent desire was to teach young people how to be witnesses in their own communities; how to be conduits of the Holy Spirit in broken, scarred societies.  Thus, his words were keyed to the themes of reconciliation, unity, and hope in the future.

He questioned the audience at Randwick Racecourse: "How can we offer the hope of peace, healing and harmony to...'stations' of conflict, suffering, and tension..." (Vigil Message)?  The simple answer was God and His Church on earth, the Catholic Church.  "Unity is of the essence of the Church; it is a gift we must recognize and cherish," he proclaimed.  Further, it is by the Holy Spirit, "Who satisfies that essential human yearning to be one, to be immersed in communion," that the Church is endowed with her oneness.  Because the Holy Spirit is necessary for unity, we must pray that He come into our lives and invigorate us!

In his homily during the Closing Mass, His Holiness continued to instill in the worshipers the belief that Christ is the ultimate answer to life's most serious and perplexing problems.  "The outpouring of Christ's Spirit upon humanity is a pledge of hope and deliverance from everything that impoverishes us," he taught.  Yes, that is the same Spirit Who moved over the formless, dark void at the beginning of time (Gen. 1:1-2); the same Spirit Who descended upon Christ after He was baptized in the Jordan River (Jn. 1:32); the same Spirit received by those baptized throughout Christian history.  The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are of one essence.  There is no separation of the two.  Therefore, we know and believe that it is by Christ and the Holy Spirit that this world will be resurrected from its current dregs.

In the face of ridicule, isolation, and envy by the Enemy, believers must unceasingly proclaim Christ as "the 'way' who satisfies all human yearning, and the 'life' to which we are called to bear witness, walking always in his light" (Rite of Baptism 100).  Although there is much evil in our time (and for generations into the future), the light of Christ will never be overcome by the darkness of Satan and the world.  On that day when the "morning star" rises in the heart of all humanity, it will be because Christ poured out His Spirit upon faithful believers, and because they have been faithful to their calling.

Let us applaud Pope Benedict XVI for identifying the most pressing problems of our modern age.  Let us also applaud him for his effort to point humans toward the One who is capable of providing joyful remedies to such problems.  Let us give thanks that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has given Pope Benedict XVI to His Holy Catholic Church as its servant!  Thanks be to God!