Anne Lastman 

Watching this summer the evening news and see the youth gathering in Rome; to be with the pope, I felt tears rolling down  my face.  

The Catholic Church is Strong.  It will not be destroyed.  The young want Jesus. Their Hallelujahs reach heaven.

They want Peter. They want Pope Leo as much as they wanted Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, St John Paul II, and the other popes.  They want Jesus and the Holder of His keys. Now pope Leo.

The Jubilee meeting in Rome with  catholic and others youth from over 130 countries around the world, all in Rome, shows that the Holy Spirit is totally in control and  though evil wants to destroy the young  it knows that it will never win. He has been defeated for all time. He might delude some for a time but he has been defeated and  lost for eternity.

This Jubilee year a year when the world is in such  turmoil with Israel (our elder brother-Pope JPII)  under so much attack, and other global terrorism and wars, when a world legalises all  forms of death, abortions,  we see that Jesus is in  control  The Spirit whom he promised to us (Jn14:16) the Spirit of Truth , The Helper, is present, not only always but so strongly and visibly In Rome in our time of chaos.   “Jesus Christ you are my life. “Hallelujah, Hallelujah”  “Jesus Christ you are my life Hallelujah” A song sang by nearly a millions youth.  

Like Hamas, the evil one, This jubilee year, Jesus is calling to himself, those who are lost led by evil which  is trying many ways to take away the youth and lead them to death. , The life of tomorrow.    The bringer of death has tried to distract all by the violence, and riots which he encourages those who have not yet heard, listened and  responded to his call and instead heard the call of the wickedness.  The slaughters which also disturb and wound those at home feeling helpless  saying thinking, “Where is God in All of this.  Why doesn’t he help us. We cant do it anymore” and his response is the millions of tomorrows to be with and listen to Peter who speaks under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the truth about Jesus and life.  Youth who counter those listening to the voice of hatred, and he gathers those who sing  “ Jesus you are my life. Hallelujah . Jesus you are my life, Hallelujah.  

It’s the most fantastic, beautiful, amazing vision of a representation of youth of the world into whose hands Jesus has entrusted the future. The Holy Father’s own words “you are the future”

There has always been the voice of hatred but it has always been defeated on the cross.  Today we again have a voice of deep hatred, like past times but via the  collusion  of media, which passes on the voice of hatred, also very briefly shows the voice of Love.  “Hallelujah , Hallelujah  Jesus you are my life. Hallelujah.” 

We human beings have still not realised that God, Jesus do not respond in the way we respond (My thoughts and neither your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (Is. 55:8),   and we forget, fear, and lose hope, and at times despair and expect that He pulls out a miracle out of the sky, but Jesus’ miracles are with His people,  he negotiates with them and those who want to follow him, leave the way of the world behind and sing “Jesus you are my life. Hallelujah .Hallelujah”  

The screens bring out daily horrors and Jesus raises words and song of love joy and hope.

This evening in the news broadcast, we saw  rioters, protesters, shut one Australia’s icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to protest against Israel and their right to exist),  having been shut down and attendees boasting 100,00 people. The next news article came from Rome showing over 1,000,000 youth  singing songs of praise these from 130 countries from around the world singing and rejoicing together.  The contrast was  nothing short of miraculous, divine, holy, to see. The world and our Catholic faith, and our youth have things in their care.  

It’s amazing, that we have become so used to social media and the posts which come from it. Generally, anti life, ugly,  and yet social media and screens which reach billions also bring up the pope carrying the Cross.  The Father carrying the Son.  The followers staying with father and son joyfully singing  Hallelujah.  

I had wondered how to write a few short words on the Jubilee event happening in Rome and me being in Australia and have felt sad that I couldn’t be there for the experience, but courtesy of the instrument of the evil one, I couldn’t be there but  tears of joy also came to my home. Assurance that the world is in good hands. That evil will not win the day. That  wickedness will not last. That  the demon, satan is losing the battle and the  rage he has against the youth can be visibly seen. But  he’s losing the battle. The youth are following Jesus and the Cross and the Most blessed Monstrance carrying our Lord precious Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. Very physically and truthfully and really present amongst us even those far away.  He hasn’t abandoned us to evil. He is showing us He is in control and indeed will make blessings come from what appears ugliness.  Take courage says Jesus “don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God;  trust also in me” (Jn 12:44-47), do not be afraid, I have overcome the world  (Jn16,33)  

And the youth of the world  affirm this “Jesus is my life.    Hallelujah . Hallelujah .