​Focusing on the Present

Pope Francis’ letter to young peple is a timely read. It speaks to all ages. On the one hand, it helps us to rejuvenate our love for the Gospels and the Kingdom of God. For there is ‘something’, a part of our soul, which is never aging. The Holy Spirit creates a ‘spark’ in us, as part of his presence, and stays with us. While listening to what the Pope says, we are brought back to this first love. We can even sense, how Francis is re-living those moments of youthful passion for Christ, now, through the lens of his wisdom.

There is a second reason as to why this is a timely reading. Psychology and common experience knows that fear and anxiety causes aging. The skin, the face, but most importantly, our internal organs, our whole body grews older under the years of stress.

Covid 19 has been an immense pressure on all of us. That’s why we need to lift up our souls. The experience of daily joy in the Holy Spirit is our ‘anti-aging of the soul.’ Cherishing and bringing surface to the ‘spark’ of the Holy Spirit will give fresh strength to our love.
In illustration of this ‘spark’, I found a beautiful detail in an icon of Saint Mark. The cover of the Gospel shows the rays of Christ teaching in our soul. These are the rays of joy and love, and charity.
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There is an added meaning to this spark. This is how Pope Francis urges us to valuate and revaluate the present moment. Let the moments of our friendship, here and now shine in our lives, for ourselves (rejuvenation) and for others (charity). 
 
29.08.2020