Jason Hunt of the SSVDP Canada has been writing a blog of his experiences…
Day four (Sunday, July 21 2013)
We had an English song at the opening prayer. They announced the winner for a visit to the pope, who wrote a song. We all song it together and then were invited to get together in the beach together at world youth day to sing the song with our shirts they have us.
Our catechesis was on charity as a strength for evangelization. We were asked to sit with others who we had not sat with or talked to very much. How did we encounter Jesus? Did we? Why? What did it mean? I would say my encounter is in every smile I bring to someone’s face. In all the laughter surrounding myself and others. In the tears of those who needed a shoulder and in the embrace of others. Our light brings out the light in others which combined is the light of God and Jesus. It means that we are creating the joy and hope and strength of togetherness. We encounter Jesus when we are together instead of alone. It’s not just one experience it’s all the little experiences that truly are bringing us to be the Vincentians that we are. We are all the gift with our presence among others.
Charity comes from god, becomes it comes from god we share it with others. We are called to love the poor affectively and effectively that is how we are evangelized. God is building a story of love. There is a big connect of love faith and hope.
The poor are the sacrament of Christ.
What you did for one of them you did for me. We see Christ in the poor, is something we often say, but it’s not something you can easily see. It requires reflection to see Christ in the poor. He saw he got closer and he acted. We need to see a reality and we need to get closer to the reality. We can not have the personally contact or see what we need to do to see the compassion we can feel the other person as someone that is there tangy we can love and help. We have to open our hearts to truly act.
Conversion is a very essential part of our journey as Vincentians to evangelize. When we engage with the poor we are transformed by the. They teach us of the true Christian values. Being aware of our poverty is a powerful experience because when we meet others we have a different attitude. Now we are aware that we have something to give as well as receive because they have something important to give us. How can we inspire others? What can we do to help society be aware of the reality of poverty?
Love is inventive into infinity.
We then went to mass in English, which they taught yes lord in all 3 languages so everyone could join in. This song was the popular song, everyone was asking for an encore. Then it was lunch time just before sports.
They had games of football, soccer, and volleyball. We had a team for volleyball with some americans. Once the nets were found and put up we had fun. Now it was free time and time to pack. We found a LAN house to check our email and such. Then we packed had dinner and got on our buses for the long ride to Rio de Janeiro.
Jason Hunt
Tags: Canada, World Youth Day, Youth
