BLOG POST #2
Greetings from Madrid. It’s Friday here and what an awesome day! I had the great honor to minister with Danielle Rose and Steve Angrisano at the Madrid Arena this morning. Much walking and subways to get there, but we had the great Bishop from Alaska who was the presenter. The place was filled with many nations who were “ON FIRE” for the Word. The day started with shouts from different nations singing their anthems and ended together with everyone singing “I Send You Out, on a Mission of Love.”
It’s a great witness for all of us to recognize the common ground of Jesus Christ which binds us all together. What an awesome witness to see 1.5 million youth excited about their faith and willing to do as Mary did and say YES to God without knowing the outcome.
“On faith we stand and know that we are made for justice.”
I wish the whole world could see that, even in Madrid where there are protestors against the Pope and us being here, our response is not violence but of compassion, mercy and forgiveness. It is this ingredient that is going to unite the world beyond our borders, to see that our only way to survival is by seeing that God is not distant but present in Word and Deed. I have been blessed, through all of the logistical craziness, to witness the hope that is present from this gathering.
I hope that all of you at home can empathize and see that it is our calling as well to resist violence and hatred, and recognize that God is bigger than our own conception. We continue for one more day to help open the minds and hearts of the world to become One Communion of Love. Tomorrow the US Mass and concert!! -John
