688 Acta Apostolicæ Sedis - Commentarium Officiale

Finally, the third part of this Day's theme - « Wake up! » - This word

speaks of a responsibility which the Lord gives you. It is the duty to be

vigilant, not to allow the pressures, the temptations and the sins of ourselves

or others to dull our sensitivity to the beauty of holiness, to the joy of the

Gospel. Today's responsorial psalm invites us constantly to « be glad and

sing for joy ». No one who sleeps can sing, dance or rejoice. I don't like to

see young people who are sleeping. No! Wake up! Go! Go Forward! Dear

young people, « God, our God, has blessed us! »;2 from him we have « received

mercy ».3 Assured of God's love, go out to the world so that, « by the mercy

shown to you », they - your friends, co-workers, neighbours, countrymen,

everyone on this great continent - « may now receive the mercy of God ».4

It is by his mercy that we are saved.

Dear young people of Asia, it is my hope that, in union with Christ and

the Church, you will take up this path, which will surely bring you much

joy. Now, as we approach the table of the Eucharist, let us turn to our

Mother Mary, who brought Jesus to the world. Yes, Mother Mary, we long

to have Jesus; in your maternal affection help us to bring him to others,

to serve him faithfully, and to honour him in every time and place, in this

country and throughout Asia. Amen.

Asian youth, wake up!

2 Ps 67: 6. 3 Rom 11: 30. 4 Cf. Rom 11: 31.