I encourage all of you readers to spend some time reflecting on the words of the Holy Father...for they are not just us pilgrims traveling to Rio, but for all people.
I know our group of our pilgrims will be spending some time praying, reflecting, and discussing this as our own family of pilgrims.
For me personally, I really take something from the theme for this upcoming WYD: "Go and make disciples of all nations!" (Matthew 28:19). We cannot wait to be disciples, to help bring other people to Jesus...the world needs us, needs YOU. Being a missionary doesn't necessarily mean you have to trek it off to Africa to some mission outpost, but being a missionary means using the God-given gifts and talents and your current life to help bring Jesus to other people. All baptized Christians are missionaries.
The Pope calls and challenges those who are preparing for embarking on this upcoming World Youth Day pilgrimage...may each of us take seriously our call to live as an "intentional disciple" of Jesus Christ and to take seriously our call to be missionaries of God's love in this world!
God bless :)
