God is not great . "Why religion poisons everything" reads the sub-heading . The fact that the author of this international best-seller is hailed as one of the bright intellectuals of our time saddens me . Then as i returned to Canberra , i sat at a table where they discussed how World Youth Day was such an impediment to Sydney's economy , to the flow of public transport , and not forgetting to mention , to their peace and harmony . I was silenced as i listened . But i shall come back to that later .
223,000 pilgrims ; 110,000 from 170 nations - that's only 34 shy of the Olympics .
Anyone who wasn't there can only attempt to imagine what those statistics mean - identifying at least one fellow pilgrim (by their flaming backpacks) everywhere we went (especially at McDonalds pit stops) . And that's just the least of it .
Every event was accompanied by an ever jovial crowd with voices that never failed to cheer and sing as we spread our love along the streets . I can still vividly remember the chants as if i was still there ; language never proved to be a barrier when we spoke the lingua franca of one faith .
Although i did not personally encounter any of the rumored protesters (apart from receiving one of the Chick booklets) , i'd like to think that it was because i probably missed them by the grace of God or perhaps i was so constantly absorbed in the atmosphere that i simply didn't notice them . The overflow of theological discussions and concerts only contributed to this effect .
Even our very first session of catechism had prompted me to return to confession . That was the third time in my life i had entered the box . But i daresay that i have been inspired to revisit such a comforting act more frequently . Perhaps next time a priest asks me when my last confession was , i will be able to provide a little bewilderment and perhaps put a smile on his face when i say "yesterday" .
Admittedly , because i seem to be too preoccupied with organizing myself to attend as many of these events as possible , i initially felt as though there was a lack of spiritual encounter in my experience . Or at least , to a lesser extent of what i had anticipated following the build-up from the Days of the Diocese .
But as i reminisced over the hundreds of photos i took , i began to laugh to myself , wondering how i missed what i had . Throughout the week i was there , through all the seemingly aimless walking around , through all the early mornings and late nights , roughing it out in sleeping bags and train rides , the shower worries and bad curries , the masses and adorations , and through all the events to the gruelling pilgrimage to randwick and the final mass with our beloved Pope , i cannot help but feel blessed with the all the little fortunate happenings that filled my days but one in particular - the company i had .
As i look at the smiles (random or otherwise) that are littered everywhere on my photo album(s) , that is where i discover an unmistakable conviction that the Holy Spirit was and is present . As we heard , miracles happen when the Holy Spirit is present .
Where else can one find a more unified crowd of such color and diversity and more importantly , one body which celebrates life with so much vigor than this ? And motivated , i might add , without any alcohol or drugs , but rather by something illusive-ly simple as faith ?
If that isn’t amazing enough , where else can you find such a crowd which is also capable of transitioning from such jubilation into complete silent prayer and adoration the next minute ?
Returning to my opening disappointment , i feel for those who cannot and/or are unwilling to experience and/or understand before criticizing . But i recall the theme of World Youth Day - "When the Holy Spirit has come upon you , you will be filled with power ; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8) . And so with such an enriching experience for support , i find the courage to continue spreading the message with the testimony of my life by surrendering it to Him and further this with a promise to let Him lead me to be a bold witness for the rest of my days and to share and pray that our secular world awakens to the understanding of what the Holy Spirit has to offer and fulfill .
223,000 pilgrims ; 110,000 from 170 nations - that's only 34 shy of the Olympics .
Anyone who wasn't there can only attempt to imagine what those statistics mean - identifying at least one fellow pilgrim (by their flaming backpacks) everywhere we went (especially at McDonalds pit stops) . And that's just the least of it .
Every event was accompanied by an ever jovial crowd with voices that never failed to cheer and sing as we spread our love along the streets . I can still vividly remember the chants as if i was still there ; language never proved to be a barrier when we spoke the lingua franca of one faith .
Although i did not personally encounter any of the rumored protesters (apart from receiving one of the Chick booklets) , i'd like to think that it was because i probably missed them by the grace of God or perhaps i was so constantly absorbed in the atmosphere that i simply didn't notice them . The overflow of theological discussions and concerts only contributed to this effect .
Even our very first session of catechism had prompted me to return to confession . That was the third time in my life i had entered the box . But i daresay that i have been inspired to revisit such a comforting act more frequently . Perhaps next time a priest asks me when my last confession was , i will be able to provide a little bewilderment and perhaps put a smile on his face when i say "yesterday" .
Admittedly , because i seem to be too preoccupied with organizing myself to attend as many of these events as possible , i initially felt as though there was a lack of spiritual encounter in my experience . Or at least , to a lesser extent of what i had anticipated following the build-up from the Days of the Diocese .
But as i reminisced over the hundreds of photos i took , i began to laugh to myself , wondering how i missed what i had . Throughout the week i was there , through all the seemingly aimless walking around , through all the early mornings and late nights , roughing it out in sleeping bags and train rides , the shower worries and bad curries , the masses and adorations , and through all the events to the gruelling pilgrimage to randwick and the final mass with our beloved Pope , i cannot help but feel blessed with the all the little fortunate happenings that filled my days but one in particular - the company i had .
As i look at the smiles (random or otherwise) that are littered everywhere on my photo album(s) , that is where i discover an unmistakable conviction that the Holy Spirit was and is present . As we heard , miracles happen when the Holy Spirit is present .
Where else can one find a more unified crowd of such color and diversity and more importantly , one body which celebrates life with so much vigor than this ? And motivated , i might add , without any alcohol or drugs , but rather by something illusive-ly simple as faith ?
If that isn’t amazing enough , where else can you find such a crowd which is also capable of transitioning from such jubilation into complete silent prayer and adoration the next minute ?
Returning to my opening disappointment , i feel for those who cannot and/or are unwilling to experience and/or understand before criticizing . But i recall the theme of World Youth Day - "When the Holy Spirit has come upon you , you will be filled with power ; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8) . And so with such an enriching experience for support , i find the courage to continue spreading the message with the testimony of my life by surrendering it to Him and further this with a promise to let Him lead me to be a bold witness for the rest of my days and to share and pray that our secular world awakens to the understanding of what the Holy Spirit has to offer and fulfill .
What have you done today to be His witness ?
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