25/09/2019
Before the Blessed Sacrament, I begin to write this brief letter about our trip to
Panama:
What 12 days we have spent. Yes, including the departure and return. Starting with that early morning Mass on January 24th at Barajas was just the beginning of breathing God everywhere.
As we approached the boarding gate, the number of priests, people praying and singing, with flags and guitars everywhere, increased. It was a sign for those who had not yet realized: we were going to the World Youth Day in Panama, “a celebration of joy, of hope for the Church and, for the world, a huge testimony of faith,” to share an unforgettable experience with Catholics from all countries of the world accompanied by His Holiness Pope Francis.
The welcome from the families of the Parish Nuestra Señora del Carmen was completely engraved in my memory. And it was another sign: I was in Panama, but not as a tourist, but to be gathered with my Christian brothers and sisters, who “had said ‘yes’ to God’s dream of seeing His children gathered,” and to listen all together to the message the Pope had for us. I think we were all surprised by the enormous generosity of the Panamanian families, who having little (materially speaking) gave us everything. And this made me wonder if I would be able to treat them the same way if they came to Madrid. And unfortunately, the answer was not a clear yes… but we will surely improve.
These two signs (airport and welcome) that suited me so well, since I had ventured to go to Panama but without being as aware of where I was going as I would have liked, allowed me to better enter that Way of the Cross on the “coastal strip,” as the Pope defined that huge street where we gathered, which was deeply beautiful. Each one on their own, but all together as brothers, we were praying hand in hand with the Pope, who insisted so much on respecting all people with all our heart, from the child in the womb, through abused women, refugees, to those we bullied.
On Saturday morning, celebrating Mass with all the Spaniards who had gone to the WYD, I thought once again: how beautiful is Your Church. And then little by little we began to pilgrimage towards Campo San Juan Pablo II, for the vigil. The Pope urged us not to be afraid. That Mary did not buy life insurance. She, who was young like us, risked everything and became a young “influencer,” and who “was not foolish,” decided to say YES, decided to trust in Love. Because the Lord invites us to live our own love story with Him, and He is the first to say “yes” to our life.
By saying YES to the Lord we have “strong roots” that help us to be supported and held, because it is easy to “fly away” when there is nothing to hold on to. The Pope has taught me that I have to be visible, feel that I am useful, that my life makes sense to all those around me! Not to be afraid! Not to be afraid to open my heart to Him! In this way, He will embrace me with all my weaknesses and defects!
In the Pope’s homily the next day, it was tattooed on me that all young people are the now of God. It is a concrete love, a love of right now. And that it is that love, as Jesuit Father Pedro Arrupe said, that will make me get up in the morning and drive me in the hours of tiredness, what breaks my heart and what fills me with wonder, joy, and gratitude.
And leaving Panama City behind and in my heart, we went to the Pearl Archipelago, to Saboga Island, which also welcomed us with open arms. What good times sharing with its people: talking, playing soccer (despite our unfair defeat), painting, building the stands… And what good times of group fun, adoration, Mass. Maybe Saboga is not the island with the most money in the world, but certainly there you can contemplate God in its people and in nature. Seeing with eyes of happiness, joy, and companionship.
I take many people with me. Many names: Pirulito, Octavio, Dayanne, Milagros, Luis Carlos, Pollito, José David, Mercedes, Zori, China, Claudi… and although I will probably never see them again in my life, they already occupy a space in my heart.
To not go on too much more. Apart from many stories and memories, I stay with the Panamanian people, from whom I have much to learn. With you, the Spanish Hakuna group, who have surprised me again and again. With learning to be Christian, which as Saint Oscar Romero said, Christianity is not rules, Christianity is Christ and, as Don Josepe suggested, to be Christians with our life, with our example.
It does not surprise me that from a WYD a conversion, a call to consecrated life, to religious life may arise… because really in these encounters we open our hearts to God, who speaks silently to each one of us. Surely it is not my case, but what I am completely convinced of and what I realized upon arriving in Madrid is that I return with a changed face and heart. Eager to live with all my soul, to love others and every day a little more the Lord.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you Pope Francis. Thank you Hakuna. And thank you to each one of you.
