WORLD YOUTH DAY: SHOWER OF FAITH

After months of crisis, tension and anger in the American Church, a welcome relief arrives this week like a cooling shower on a hot July day: World Youth Day, which is actually several days during which Catholic youths celebrate their faith.

Young people have been the focus of the scandal gripping the Church; they are also the core of WYD, which is being held in Toronto. Victims in the U.S. scandal, young people are the heroes of these Canadian days, their vibrant enthusiasm for religion and their depth of spirituality testifying that some things can survive even the worst moments, and among those things are God's unending love and our serious relationship with Him.

Anyone who has been brought low by the abuse scandal will be lifted high in these coming days, as young people sing of their affection for Pope John Paul II (and vice versa), as they pray fervently and as they demonstrate that the Church is so much more than what our image of it has been since January.

The crisis has rightfully arrested the attention of Catholics for weeks now as it has played out and been dealt with. There is more to do. But we will be cheating ourselves if we don't turn aside for a while this week to listen to and watch our young people.

Their example can remind us of what is fundamental in our lives and revitalize us as a faith-filled people of God who are committed not only to solving a single problem but also to living our faith to the fullest.

(07-25-02)

[[In-content Ad]]