The Holy Father's Second Speech at Kiel Center

"You are the light of the world. . . Your light must shine
before all."

Mt 5:14.16

Dear
Young People,

1. Ask yourselves: Do I believe these words of Jesus in the Gospel?
Jesus is calling you the light of the world. He is asking you
to let your light shine before others. I know that in your
hearts you want to say: "Here I am, Lord. Here I am. I come to
do your will" (Responsorial Psalm; cf. Heb 10:7). But
only if you are one with Jesus can you share his light and be a light
to the world.

Are you ready for this?

Sadly, too many people today are living apart from the light –
in a world of illusions, a world of fleeting shadows and promises
unfulfilled. If you look to Jesus, if you live the Truth
that is Jesus, you will have in you the light that reveals the
truths and values on which to build your own happiness, while
building a world of justice, peace and solidarity. Remember what Jesus
said: "I am the light of the world; those who follow me will
not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (cf. Jn
8:12).

Because Jesus is the Light, we too become light when we proclaim
him. This is the heart of the Christian mission to which each of you
has been called through Baptism and Confirmation. You are called
to make the light of Christ shine brightly in the world.

2. When you were little, were you sometimes afraid of the dark? Today
you are no longer children afraid of the dark. You are teenagers and
young adults. But already you realize that there is another kind of
darkness in the world: the darkness of doubt and uncertainty. You
may feel the darkness of loneliness and isolation. Your anxieties
may come from questions about your future, or regrets about past choices.

Sometimes the world itself seems filled with darkness. The darkness
of children who go hungry and even die. The darkness of homeless people
who lack work and proper medical care. The darkness of violence: violence
against the unborn child, violence in families, the violence of gangs,
the violence of sexual abuse, the violence of drugs that destroy the
body, mind and heart. There is something terribly wrong when so many
young people are overcome by hopelessness to the point of taking their
own lives. And already in parts of this nation, laws have been passed
which allow doctors to end the lives of the very people they are sworn
to help. God’s gift of life is being rejected. Death is
chosen over life, and this brings with it the darkness of despair.

3.
But you believe in the light (cf. Jn 12:36)! Do not listen to those
who encourage you to lie, to shirk responsibility, to put yourselves
first. Do not listen to those who tell you that chastity is passé.
In your hearts you know that true love is a gift from God and respects
his plan for the union of man and woman in marriage. Do not be taken
in by false values and deceptive slogans, especially about
your freedom. True freedom is a wonderful gift from God, and it has
been a cherished part of your country’s history. But when freedom
is separated from truth, individuals lose their moral direction and
the very fabric of society begins to unravel.

Freedom is not the ability to do anything we want, whenever we want.
Rather, freedom is the ability to live responsibly the truth of
our relationship with God and with one another. Remember what
Jesus said: "you will know the truth and the truth will set you
free" (Jn 8:32). Let no one mislead you or prevent you from seeing
what really matters. Turn to Jesus, listen to him, and discover the
true meaning and direction of your lives.

4. You are children of the light (cf. Jn 12:36)! You belong to
Christ, and he has called you by name. Your first responsibility
is to get to know as much as you can about him, in your parishes,
in religious instruction in your high schools and colleges, in your
youth groups and Newman Centers.

But you will get to know him truly and personally only through
prayer. What is needed is that you talk to him, and listen
to him.

Today we are living in an age of instant communications. But do
you realize what a unique form of communication prayer is?
Prayer enables us to meet God at the most profound level of our being.
It connects us directly to God, the living God: Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, in a constant exchange of love.

Through prayer you will learn to become the light of the world,
because in prayer you become one with the source of our true light,
Jesus himself.

5. Each of you has a special mission in life, and you are each called
to be a disciple of Christ. Many of you will serve God in the vocation
of Christian married life; some of you will serve him as dedicated
single persons; some as priests and religious. But all of you must
be the light of the world. To those of you who think that Christ
may be inviting you to follow him in the priesthood or the consecrated
life I make this personal appeal: I ask you to open your hearts generously
to him; do not delay your response. The Lord will help you to know
his will; he will help you to follow your vocation courageously.

6.
Young friends, in the days and weeks and years ahead, for as long
as you remember this evening, remember that the Pope came to the United
States, to the City of St. Louis, to call the young people of America
to Christ, to invite you to follow him. He came to challenge you
to be the light of the world! "The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness does not overcome it" (Jn 1:5). Jesus who has
conquered sin and death reminds you: "I am with you always"
(Mt 28:20). He says: "Courage! It is I; have no fear"
(Mk 6:50).

On the horizon of this city stands the Gateway Arch, which often
catches the sunlight in its different colors and hues. In a similar
way, in a thousand different ways, you must reflect the light of
Christ through your lives of prayer and joyful service of others.
With the help of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the young people of America
will do this magnificently!

Remember: Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope
believes in you and he expects great things of you!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

So I am prepared to return once more to play hockey! But if I will
be able to, that is the question. Perhaps after this meeting, I will
be a bit more ready!