Youth letter - Easter 2015

To our Catholic youth of Vietnam,

On the occasion of the Easter celebration, I am writing to you with the hope that  the Risen Christ may give you grace, peace, and joy and that will urge you to inspire enthusiasm in communicating peace and joy to others especially to your co-students.

The Risen Jesus brings joy to humanity.  It comes from Him. It didn’t depend on external environment. One can taste the joy and peace of mind even in the midst of sufferings in life. The Lord tells his disciples before his Passion: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you which the world cannot give.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Jn 14, 27).  After the resurrection as John recounts to the disciples who were gathered in the house of God. The doors are closed for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you! "Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord "(Jn 20.19 to 20).

If you look at real life, you will find there are too many people who are suffering and not knowing the peace and joy that brings. It is not only because of their poverty or illness but also because they are overpowered by sin that oppresses the soul.  Many people when they suffer with trust in their hearts run to God and Mary to find peace.

I want to read to you the earnest prayer of a person in times of difficulties and weaknesses:

"I thank God and Mother Mary for the many blessings showered upon me. But now, I have a lot of difficulties in life.  I offer back to you, my Lord and my Mother Mary all my sadness. Please have mercy on me, your sinful daughter.  Because there are times that I hurt you. Please help me God to overcome this impasse and please help me to find peace because it is only through you and Mother Mary that I can be freed.

But there are those who become hopeless when they are suffering. They allow sin to lead their lives. It is a like a “drug” that wrecks one’s life. Human beings are weak. They not only succumb to the forces of evil but runs for it.

In all circumstances, our mission as disciples of the Lord is to remind and explain to people for them to accept the love of Jesus Christ who gives Himself as “food” for humanity in order to offer support, to bring peace and happiness to all. (x. Mc 14.22 to 24). It is the unconditional love, tribute, forgiveness and salvation of God for humankind.  It is only love that can dispel the power of evil and uplift the human soul.

To my dear youth, mission proclaims God's saving love. It is a very difficult call and responsibility because many people do not believe in the unconditional love of God to humankind and they do not believe that it is only love that can build, create, and is the true source of happiness. Therefore, we ignore the great and unfathomable love of God and seek to exclude Him from our life.

People search for pleasures and self-benefits to the extent of sacrificing their families, friends or exclude others. People turn a blind eye before the poor, poverty and misery. The problem becomes even more serious because when the disciples of Jesus did not believe in the power of God's love and the media and negative viewpoints or values of men use violent forces as means to solve the problem (cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter "To the Third Millennium", No. 35-36).

This mission, although difficult, it can be done because God has assured his disciples: "If you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can move mountains" (Mt 17 20, x. Mt 21, 21). The saving love of God does not only gives strength but also His unparalleled power. This is the power of divine love. It is a power that changes people's hearts and this is the faith of Mary who has been hailed as being full of grace.”  (cf. Luke 1, 45 ).

With faith, I invite you to become Messengers of God's love to all you meet wherever you are. Thus, you will hear the word of God spoken through the prophet Isaiah as he said now to you: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

 

I wish you the Easter joy, peace, happiness and new life in the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary embrace you with her constant love, affection and protection as you journey closer to the heart of Jesus who loves you dearly.

 

March 27, 2015

President of Committee on the Catholic Education

(Signed)

Joseph Đinh Đức Đạo