“Dear young people, let me now ask you a question. What will you leave to the next generation? Are you building your lives on firm foundations, building something that will endure? Are you living your lives in a way that opens up space for the Spirit in the midst of a world that wants to forget God, or even rejects Him in the name of a falsely-conceived freedom?…How are you using the gifts you have been given, the “power” which the Holy Spirit is even now prepared to release within you? What legacy will you leave to young people yet to come? What difference will you make?”

(Pope Benedict XVI’s closing Mass at World Youth Day, Sydney, Australia, July 19, 2008. Read full homily at Zenit.)

This past week we were blessed to have visits from St. Mary’s Highschool as well as from St. John Vianney Youth Group (photos included).  Being with these young women brought to mind the words of Pope Benedict, as quoted above.  These young people are committed to leaving the next generation with a Christ-centered legacy!  They are committed to making a difference.  
In the course of both of these Come And See Days, I witnessed these young women asking candid questions about the nitty gritty of growing in their love for the Lord.  They asked questions about prayer, about how to live a truly Christian life, about how to truly discern God’s Call! Questions like these rise from hearts that are in love with Christ.  Their integrity and zeal and JOY were witness to me of the Holy Spirit! 

Blessed John Paul II, the great friend of youth, understood the greatness of their desires.  And he told them to never sell their dreams cheaply (see full quote below).  Having the great advantage of glimpsing into the richness of these dreams over the course of the last week, I understand on a deeper level JPII’s exhortation: REFUSE TO SELL YOUR DREAMS CHEAPLY.  

 

Dear young people, do not be content with anything less than the highest ideals!  Do not let yourselves be dispirited by those who are disillusioned with life and have grown deaf to the deepest and most authentic desires of the heart.  The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living.  Refuse to sell your dreams cheaply.  Watch out for the dangerous ways that lead to passing joys and satisfaction.  Deepen your relationship with God through prayer.  Prayer spreads Divine energy.  It makes us live in a new way and gives rise to a revolutionary evangelical style. – Blessed John Paul II

May Mary, “Eucharistic woman” and Mother of Wisdom, support you along the way, enlighten your decisions, and teach you to love what is true, good and beautiful. May she lead you all to her Son, who alone can satisfy the innermost yearnings of the human mind and heart. – Blessed John Paul II