BIBLICAL THOUGHTS
ShareI will not be afraid. - Hebrews 13:6
Do not be afraid of Christ. Trust Him completely! He alone 'has the words of eternal life.' Christ never lets us down.
The integrity of the upright guides them. - Proverbs 11:3
But--I ask you--is it better to be resigned to a life without ideals…or rather, …to seek the truth, goodness, justice, working for a world that reflects the beauty of God, even at the cost of facing the trials it may involve.
Remember the poor. - Galations 2:10
Jesus invites us to love the poor, because they should be given special attention precisely because of their vulnerability.
I am with you always. - Matthew 28:20
Jesus is living next to you, in the brothers and sisters with whom you share your daily existence.
They recognized Him. - Luke 24:31
Call out to Jesus to remain with you always along the many roads to Emmaus of our time. May He be your strength, your point of reference, your enduring hope.
Be hospitable. - 1 Peter 4:9
There, in the midst of humankind, is the dwelling of Christ, who asks you to dry every tear in His name, and to remind whoever feels lonely that no one whose hope is placed in Him is ever alone.
Seek to do good to one another. - 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who are determined to enter it.
Love one another. - 1 John 3:23
May you experience the truth that He, Christ, looks upon you with love.
My peace I give to you. - John 14:27
Dear young people, make your generous and responsible contribution to the constant building up of the Church as a family, a place of dialogue and mutual acceptance, a space of peace, mercy and pardon.
We are ambassadors for Christ. - 2 Corinthians 5:20
Christ has made you his ambassadors, the primary evangelizers of your contemporaries.
Clothe yourselves with love. - Colossians 3:14
God is love; every person is loved by God, who expects to be welcomed and loved by each one.
Do not seek your own advantage. -1Corinthians10:24
The human being has a deep-rooted tendency to 'think only of self'…. One who chooses to follow Christ, on the other hand, avoids being wrapped up in himself and does not evaluate things according to self interest.
You shall be happy. - Psalm 128:2
Where I go I challenge young people--as a friend--to live in the light and truth of Jesus Christ.
Christ has set us free. - Galatians 5:1
Now Christ says: 'You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' (John 8:32)
I am poor and needy. - Psalm 40:17
Dear young people, I invite you especially to take concrete initiatives of solidarity and sharing alongside and with those who are the poorest. Participate generously in one or another of the projects through which, in different countries, others of your contemporaries are involved in gestures of fraternity and solidarity.
My soul clings to you. - Psalm 63:8
The more you cling to Jesus the more capable you will become of being close to one another.
Do what is just and right. - Ezekial 45:9
It is especially for you, young people, to take on the great task of building a society where there will be more justice and solidarity.
The truth will make you free. - John 8:32
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 one another.
Set the believers an example in speech and conduct. - 1 Timothy 4:12
Through her example may [Most Holy Mary] encourage you to be in the new millenium announcers of hope, love and peace.
Do not love the world. - 1 John 2:15
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.
Let your light shine. - Matthew 5:16
You are ready for what Christ wants of you now. He wants you--all of you--to be the light of the world, as only young people can be light. It is time to let your light shine!
You will be my witnesses. - Acts of the Apostles 1:8
Dear young people, proclaiming the Word of God is not the responsibility of priests or religious alone, but it is yours too. You must have the courage to speak about Christ in your families and in places where you study, work or recreate….There are places and circumstances where you alone can bring the seed of God's word.
He would withdraw to deserted places and pray. - Luke 5:16
In prayer you become one with the source of true light, Jesus Himself.
Consider your own call. - 1 Corinthians 1:26
I hope that many young men and women, inspired by sincere, apostolic zeal, will consecrate their own lives to Christ and the Church as priests and religious, or as lay people who are also ready to leave their own countries to rush to those places where workers in Christ's vineyard are scarce.
Commit your work to the Lord. - Proverbs 16:3
Remember: Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope believes in you and he expects great things of you.
You need endurance. - Hebrews 10:36
Be in this world bearers of Christian faith and hope by living love every day. Be faithful witnesses of the Risen Christ, never turn back before the obstacles that present themselves on the paths of your lives. I am counting on you. On your youthful energy and your dedication to Christ.
Honor your father and your mother. - Exodus 20:12
I am thinking especially of your parents, who cooperate with God in giving you life and in caring for you: honor them and be grateful for them!
Do not lag in zeal. - Romans 12:11
I am told that there was much excitement in Saint Louis during the recent baseball season, when two great players (Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa) were competing to break the home run record. You can feel the same great enthusiasm as you train for a different goal: the goal of following Christ, the goal of bringing His message to the world.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven. - Luke 6:37
In this sacrament [Reconciliation]…you are freed from sin and from its ugly companion which is shame. Your burdens are lifted and you experience the joy of new life in Christ.
We have gifts that differ. - Romans 12:6
Little by little you recognize the 'talent' or 'talents' which each of you has, and you begin to use them in a creative way, you begin to increase them.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. - Psalm 104:33
It is first of all necessary for you young people to give a forceful witness of love for life, God's gift. This love must extend from the beginning to the end of every life.
May He so strengthen your hearts in holiness. - 1Thessalonians 3:13
Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since full, true freedom is born from holiness.
Set free from sin…- Romans 6:18
To be truly free does not at all mean doing everything that pleases me, or doing what I want to do…To be truly free means to use one's own freedom for what is a true good.
A lamp shining in a dark place...- 2 Peter 1:19
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.' (John 8:12)
The ways of life…- Acts of the Apostles 2:28
It is along the paths of daily life that you can meet the Lord.
Draw near to God. - James 4:8
Dear young people, like the first disciples, follow Jesus! Do not be afraid to draw near to Him, to cross the threshold of His dwelling, to speak to Him face to face, as you talk to a friend.
Testify to the light. - John 1:8
Do not be afraid of presenting Christ to someone who does not yet know Him.
Keep up your courage! - Acts of the Apostles 23:11
As disciples and friends of Jesus, become agents of dialogue and collaboration with those who believe in God who rules the universe with infinite love.
Be at peace among yourselves. - 1Thessalonians 5:13
None of us is alone in this world; each of us is a vital piece of the great mosaic of humanity as a whole.
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. - Hebrews 11:1
Christ freed Peter from the fear which had seized him on the stormy lake. Christ enables us too to overcome the difficult moments in life, if with faith and hope we turn to Him and ask His help.
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. - Matthew 19:24
The human person, created in the image and likeness of God, cannot become a slave to things, to economic systems, to technological civilization, to consumerism, to easy success.
Teach me to do your will. - Psalm 143:10
I want to invite you this year to fix your eyes on Jesus, Teacher and Lord of life.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. - John 14:6
Talk with Jesus in prayer while listening to the Word; experience the joy of reconciliation in the sacrament of Penance; receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist; welcome and serve Him in your brothers and sisters.
To you I lift up my eyes. - Psalm 123:1
Dear young people,…learn to lift your hearts in an attitude of contemplation.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. - Philippians 2:3
Selfishness makes people deaf and dumb; love opens eyes and hearts.
The road is hard that leads to life. - Matthew 7:14
The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster it raises towards ever-wider horizons.
If the Lord wishes…- James 4:15
The Lord will help you to know His will; He will help you to follow your vocation courageously.
Awesome is God. - Psalm 68:35
What must I do? 'What must I do to inherit eternal life?' What must I do so that my life may have full value and meaning? The youth of each one of you, dear friends, is a treasure that is manifested precisely in these questions.
There is no fear in love. - 1 John 4:18
Break down the barriers of superficiality and fear!
…vanity of vanities. - Ecclesiastes 1:2
Dear young people, you are under threat from the bad use of advertising techniques, which plays upon the natural tendency to avoid effort and promises the immediate satisfaction of every desire, while consumerism that goes with it suggests that [you] should seek self-fulfillment especially in the enjoyment of material goods.
Keep yourself pure. - 1 Timothy 5:22
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.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer. - Ephesians 6:18
Pray and learn to pray!…Deepen your knowledge of the Word of the Living God by reading and meditating on the Scriptures.
