It’s impossible to go to sleep without thinking about what happened in France. Here in Krakow it’s not easy to perceive all of the burden and atrocity of that act of violence. All around one sees nothing but festive youths. Then, the image of a parish priest murdered in front of his faithful while celebrating Mass suddenly arrives like a dark cloud darkening a blue sky. Today I have been wondering how these youths will react. In all likelihood, if they were home, they would be overcome by fear; or perhaps they would let themselves go to trivial remarks in a sea of clichés. Those with ready-made solutions: who knows why government leaders don’t put them into practice. Far from me to underplay fear. Fear is a serious feeling, and coming to realize that no place on earth is a safe place to be doesn’t help. But these young people are far away from home. They are here: perhaps they are even sheltered by the fears of adults, distant from the grave crime news on the latest episode of violence. Yet it takes them little to feel at home.
This morning – in the courtyard of Casa Italia – we couldn’t contain them. They must have been thousands. They sang and danced. They sought relief from the hot weather in a beautiful park adjacent to the convent where we are housed. They sat in circles to pray and share their questions.The opening Mass is also called the “welcoming” Mass. Today this term sounds equally awkward and challenging. How is it possible to welcome our brother who exalts and acts in the name of violence? It’s very hard indeed. Nonetheless their being together is constantly characterised by the attempt to identify something the whole group could feel involved by; that would make everyone laugh. As if these youths felt the need (yet again) not only to be appreciated, but also to make others feel good and make them smile.
Today Poland has officially welcomed the world in its own land in the name of love offered to Jesus, and the Eucharistic celebration is intended to convey openness and hospitality. That’s what it did during what probably were the most dramatic days for the world, at least for the past years. The WYD has experienced the most dramatic hours of its thirty-year history. Why? What it is the reason?Look at these young people. See the ways in which they are together. Try to see to what extent they are capable of overcoming barriers and be in touch even those who may not appear likable at first glance. Their love for life, their natural talent for establishing bonds choosing friendship over enmity, reminds us that fraternity is carved in everyone’s hearts.
To these young people we all owe our heartfelt thanks:
They (still) signal that life can be made of smiles and hopes (in spite of all), acting as a powerful sign for the future.
