Face life’s challenges through God’s faithful creativity and guided by good counsellors: Pope Francis
Selvaraj Soosaimanikam – Vatican
Address by Pope Francis to the youth at the Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Avali on Saturday, November 5. I am greatly pleased to see the emphasis on meeting and dialogue between different cultures and religious beliefs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Seeing you from different faiths come together so bravely, I realize that this would not have been possible without you. In the complex and diverse situations we live in, dialogue is very essential. As we face various challenges, it becomes necessary for us to break down certain barriers to create a people-oriented and fraternal world. With these in mind, I would like to make three invitations to you, not as a teacher, but as someone who cares about you and encourages you.
Embrace a caring culture
First, I invite you to embrace a culture of caring. Caring means developing an attitude of compassion and developing a caring attitude towards others by removing our apathy. As a Christian I see Jesus as having great concern for all the people he met. He looked into people’s eyes, heard their cries for help, went near them and touched them and healed them. These actions of Jesus remind us that we should help those in need as much as they need.
Young people, pay more attention to what is happening within you than what is happening outside. Realize that you and this life given to you is a great gift. Quietly talk to God about what’s going on in the depths of your soul. Talk to Him about the people you meet every day and the people He has given you as companions on your journey. Bring their faces, their joys and their sorrows to Him, for without relationships there is no Godliness, and without love there is no joy.
Develop a sense of brotherhood
Second, I invite you to develop a sense of brotherhood. You are very skilled at making connections and developing friendships and relationships, transcending misconceptions and ideological barriers, and continue to sow the seeds of sisterhood. Because only in brotherly consciousness will our world have a future and you will be the creators of the future. To live as brothers and sisters is the universal calling given to every living being. Mere words are not enough to implement this, rather, concrete action is required.
Accept the challenge of making decisions in life
Third, I invite you to accept the challenge of making decisions in life and know that life is nothing without challenges. Develop the ability to make sound decisions in such challenging environments. For example when you come to a place where different roads meet, you have to decide which road to take. Here decision-making skills become very important. Before you go online for advice, always look for good advisors in life, intelligent and reliable people who can guide and help you. Dear young people, we need you. We need your creativity, your dreams and your bravery, your charm and the smile, joy and enthusiasm you bring to every situation. As the Pope, I want to tell you: Our Lady is with you and loves each one of you so much that we can be renewed, choose new paths, learn new languages, and become more joyful and better in hospitality. Don’t lose the courage to dream big and live life to the fullest! Embrace and promote a culture of compassion Become a champion of the fraternal state. Face life’s challenges by being guided by God’s faithful creativity and good counselors. I carry you in my heart and pray for you.