13 Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”, but rather that we are always “missionary disciples.”3 Missionary disciples are sent to not only preach, but to heal (see Lk 9:2,10:9). God’s people throughout the world need Christ’s healing presence. All the baptized can and must be bearers of that divine love, which can truly heal the soul. How did you encounter Christ this WYD? How has your WYD experience taught you to live out your missionary discipleship? How can you be a more intentional missionary disciple in your daily life? The Mountaintop: World Youth Day One way to look at World Youth Day is as a mountaintop: when a person reaches the summit of a mountain, the experience and the view can be truly spectacular. Likewise, WYD is often a high point in a pilgrim’s life of faith, just like the experience of the Transfiguration for Peter, James, and John, celebrated this year on August 6, 2023. The preparation and journey to WYD can be challenging, purifying, and even frustrating, filled with twists, turns, and uncertain terrain. Yet we also make this journey in the company of other climbers. With fellow pilgrims from our parish, movement, or diocese/eparchy, and our country to support us, the pathway becomes less intimidating and more enjoyable. When we finally reach the top, we encounter those who traveled up the mountain from different points of origin: different cultures, countries, languages, faith experiences, and starting points. With them, we can take in the summit in the company of the Holy Father, who unites all Catholics. After we have spent time on the mountaintop, we begin to descend the mountain into the valleys below—and into 3. Evangelii Gaudium, no. 120. Emphasis added.
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