I was in Madrid for World Youth Day 2011. I cannot explain how I feel. There are so many wonderful experiences, big and small, that I feel overwhelmed by this opportunity that God has given me to be confirmed in my faith.
I know that our faith in God is something personal. It is not a mature faith until it is something that one owns personally. But being personal does not mean that faith is something private that one keeps only in the heart or, at most, shares with the people nearest to him/her. This is what I have experienced in Madrid.
It is so overwhelming to know that I am not alone in living my Christian faith. There are many others who share the same faith with me. Probably we manifest this faith in different ways, but still we acknowledge this faith.
I didn't have the opportunity to see Pope Benedict XVI at close range, but I don't really feel bad about it. Being in Cuatro Vientos with those people, with those young people, and staying, despite the rain, is something I will carry in my heart for always. God has touched me with the presence of these people.
Skeptics might say that it will only be an event among many others for many of the young pilgrims. But I don't believe so. The fact that they stayed and braved the heat, the rain and all the inconveniences makes me believe otherwise.
May God make our faith really strong, and may we be joyful witnesses to this faith.
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