Pope Benedict XVI took his first pilgrimage to his universal Church this past week. It was a pilgrimage to his homeland, Germany. A pilgramage to the youth. Of course these journey's were already setup for him by his predecessor John Paul the Great. However, Benedict XVI seemed to want to make a big deal out of this first trip becuase in this trip he made it a pilgrimage to the whole world. He made a pilgrimage to the Jewish and Muslim communities. He made a pilgrimage to a meeting for eccumenism, He made a pilgrimage to semenarians. Benedict XVI not only took his first steps outside of Rome as Supreme Pontiff, but also as a Pilgrimage to the whole world.
He possibly crammed so many events into one trip because, as many people say, he doesn't plan on taking many trips and centralize the focus of the Church inward; or possibly he realizes he started his pontificate fairly late in life and wants to get as much done as he can in the wanning years of his life; Or possibly because he simply cares. Whatever his reasons, he definitely made a quick impression to the world that he does not intend to sit aside and be idle.
The World Youth Day celebration was full of vigor and life, and talk of challenges and hopes as it always is. However, World Youth Day 2005 was also tainted by news from France that a deranged lady assaulted a monk during prayer and killed him. It's tragic because Brother Roger the 90 year old founder of the Taizé focused on bringing people together and peace. It's also tragic because I heard someone reporting on the news that some lawyers where saying that she knew what she was doing and wasn't insane, and they should prosecute her. I'm not sure what about that report is true, but that wasn't the man's mission. Brother Roger would have wanted her to be forgiven and to be given the help that she most desperately needs.
World Youth Day was also held during the week that Israel was trying to move the settlers out of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in a last ditch effort towards peace. Which of course brought protestors, but hopefully any peace that comes out of this move will be a lasting peace.
Although the Pope, Israel, monks, and other leaders in the world reach out for peace, a human element still exists that wants to stike back and get revenge instead of letting go and letting God's peace come in.
Maybe, instead of World Youth Day bringing us together as Catholics and showing us the universality of the Church, this World Youth Day teaches us to reach out to others in goodwill and peace. Bridging diverse gaps so that we understand each other as humans and everyone as God's children. What do I do in my life to understand others? How do you reach across borders? It's something to think about. Something this World Youth Day and the news surrounding it has brought to light.
Until next time, cross any borders you see, reach out to others that are different from you. You might just find out how little those differences are.
Paix du Christ!
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