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May 9, 2023Bahrain.
The leaders of the Jesus Youth movement gathered together on 6 May 2023 in Bahrain for a training. Bishop Paolo Martinelli was present to grace the occasion.
Below is the full text of the message delivered by him to all the Jesus Youth participants present.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
First of all, let me express my joy to be with you and to be able to share these training days for the leaders of Jesus Youth in the Middle East. I thank the Lord for your fruitful ecclesial reality, which is very active in the Middle East. I thank you for your precious contribution to the church in the Middle East and in particular to the Vicariate of Southern Arabia. During my pastoral visits to the parishes, I always find members of your movement. Above all, I have learnt about your outstanding commitment to the synodal work during the diocesan phase and how you were instrumental to make it possible to meet many faithful through your dedication and service especially those who have gone away from the Church and from faith.
The theme you have chosen for these days is truly fascinating: identifying yourself with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, who pass from sadness and disappointment to the amazement and joyful recognition of the presence of the risen Christ.
The relationship between the disciples on the way to Emmaus and Jesus, is the model for our Christian existence. It reflects our efforts and our disappointments. But above all, it teaches us to get back on the road every time we are disappointed and to let ourselves be surprised by Jesus Christ, who is always our travel companion. Jesus explains the scriptures and shows himself as the fulfillment of all prophecies and makes himself known in the breaking of bread. Just as the two disciples recognize him from that unmistakable gesture, Jesus withdraws from their sight. The disciples cannot hold back Jesus. They must return to the road and know that the Lord will always be with them in a new way. Jesus will not stop surprising them.
The word of God that today's liturgy deepens the features of following Christ and our call to follow the Lord with our whole self.
First, we face the Lord's words on the conditions to follow. If you want to be his disciple, as St. Benedict says in his rule, “Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.” He is the center of all affections of his disciples. Love of Christ should be the criterion for making decisions about one's existence. Jesus asks us for a preference that surpasses all the dearest family relationships, even surpasses the love for oneself.What experience of Christ a disciple must have to make Him the ultimate criterion of his thoughts and actions? Why this condition of Jesus is profoundly true? Because, in reality,
Jesus is the meaning of everything that has life. He is the answer to the deepest desire for meaning that dwells in the heart of every man and woman. For this reason, Christian discipleship is characterized by an invitation to leave everything to follow Christ, up to the paschal mystery, the mystery of death and resurrection. Because Christ is the center of everything, He is the destiny of every living thing.
We are called to put the love of Christ first, because this allows us to find meaning in every other relationship and in every other commitment we make. The disciple is the one who believes in Christ and follows him by learning to look at every reality through the eyes and heart of Christ; to have the same feeling and the same thoughts as that of Jesus. Being his disciple means binding forever one's life to him. It means renewing one's mind, making Him the criteria by which we organize our life.
Further, the Gospel questions us if, on the contrary, we put Christ simply alongside with the other things, making him merely one of the many interests that we cultivate in life? Then, we are like the one who starts a construction project but doesn't have the means to bring it to completion. Or as one who goes for a battle having no soldiers. The most radical image the Gospel provides us is that of being salt that is not capable of salting and has lost its taste. It's no longer of any use.
Again, the image of a true disciple comes from the first letter of Saint Paul to Timothy where he encourages his young disciple and gives him an explicit criteria for his growth: that is to be nourished by sound doctrine, to make faith the form of his life, not to linger over abstract fables, but to remain faithful to the word of God, hope in the living God and not in passing things.
This ensures for us eternal life and a good life here on earth. In fact, those who put Jesus Christ at the center of their lives learn to experience the true meaning of all things, the meaning of love, sufferings, work, health and sickness, life and death. Following Christ makes one wise, even at a young age. Paul invites his disciple to persevere and with all the strength devote to one’s mission.
Finally, the apostle Paul asks Timothy not to neglect the gift that is in him. The original Greek word for gift is charisma. A word which, in this context, refers to a ministerial office but which in a broader sense we can consider the importance of different charisms in the Church. God's gifts should not be overlooked but cultivated, made to grow, and made available to the Church's mission in different social and cultural contexts.
We must thank the Lord for the charisms that have animated the lay Christians in particular in the recent decades. These charisms are given because the Church needs to show the relationship between faith and daily life, between Gospel and culture.
Dear friends, I invite you to deepen your charism, which the Church has recognized as an authentic spiritual gift. Be in our dioceses and vicariates an evangelical leaven. Always be united with your shepherds. In the Middle East, where different peoples and cultures meet and sometimes may even clash, be a sign of unity. Show the ability of the Gospel to bring together different peoples and languages.
May Our Lady of Arabia, Mother of God and of the Church, always protect you and make you grow for the glory of God and the good of all.