World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 21

witness to the love of God, it is overcoming of a beautiful love which also demands
our selfishness, it is serving by bending down sacrifice.” 27
to wash the feet of our brethren, as Jesus
did.” 24 Most young people want to be of This is the life of the disciple, the one who is
service to others, but often do not know how. sent. When Jesus sent out the seventy-two, he
The pilgrim leader can assist youth and young had them take little on the journey, beyond
adults in reflecting on how they can be of trust in him (cf. Lk 10:1-12). They returned to
service to the Church and to those in need in him joyfully telling stories of all that was done
the world. The leader can provide in his name (cf Lk 10:17-20).
opportunities to serve the poor or point to
opportunities in the local area. The leader can Jesus Christ continues to do the same today.
witness to the fact that “to love means to The pilgrims are sent on mission – they are
serve and service increases love.” 25 missionary disciples.
Sending Forth Living as Missionary Disciples
The actual WYD gathering will quickly come When he spoke to the crowd at the end
to an end. Therefore, the leader needs to send of World Youth Day in Kraków, Pope Francis
forth those who gather, equipping them with a said, “The joy that you have freely received
mission and a purpose. from God, freely give away (cf. Mt 10:8): so
many people are waiting for it!” 28
Like the dismissal at every Mass, stateside
pilgrims need to “go, glorifying the Lord” by Just as the leader and the pilgrims have
their lives. 26 As Pope Francis confidently told encountered Jesus Christ, so they have a
millions of pilgrims as they prepared to leave mission to assist others in having such an
Krakåow in 2016, “Don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’ encounter. St. John Paul II, the father and
to him (the Lord) with all your heart, to patron saint of World Youth Day, explained
respond generously and to follow him! Don’t this dynamic very well: “Our personal
let your soul grow numb, but aim for the goal encounter with Christ bathes life in new light,
Homily for the Closing Mass on the Occasion of the
XXVIII World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, 3.
25 Pope Benedict XVI, “Meeting with Volunteers of the
XXVI World Youth Day, August 21, 2011. 26
Roman Missal, Dismissal.
Homily for Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXXI
World Youth Day, Kraków, July 31, 2016, 7.
28 Ibid.
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