Pope Francis has written a post-synodal apostolic exhortation in response to the synod on ‘young people, faith and vocational discernment’.
This brilliant document is full of wisdom based on the listening through the synod process. There is much in it to digest for young people and those who minister with them.
Based on the scriptural account of Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we are reminded that as youth ministers and young people alike, we are all disciples, requiring open hearts to recognise Jesus in scripture and the breaking of the Bread.
As a youth minister, we can often put ourselves in the place of Jesus in this story. Pope Francis reminds us that we should simply accompany young people on this road as a fellow disciple not attempt to have all the answers but assist in asking the right questions as we discover who He is together.
We are reminded that even in His own youth, Jesus was and is able to teach. He is not an external teacher offering wisdoms from afar but a young man walking with us from within us.
The document can be found in English here.