The Cross of Christ: Salvation and a Miracle of Communion – Cardinal Farrell’s homily in Seoul

© WYD Seoul 2027 LOC

This afternoon, 14 September, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, presided over the opening Mass of the 2nd International Meeting in preparation for World Youth Day Seoul 2027, which is taking place in Seoul/Incheon until 17 September.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Prefect delivered the homily and addressed the approximately 300 youth ministry delegates gathered in Seoul: “You know well that the cross is one of the most powerful symbols of World Youth Day and has accompanied its journey from the very beginning of its history”.  Since 1984, the Prefect continued, “ it has been carried among young people on every continent and has touched the hearts of many.”

For so many young people who find themselves in the desert of life, salvation lies in lifting their gaze and receiving from God forgiveness, love and life

The Cardinal reflected on the first reading of today’s liturgy, which recounts the episode of the ‘fiery serpents’ that bit the people during a difficult time of trial in the desert. “In the first reading,” said Farrell, “we heard the story of the fiery serpents that bite the people during a difficult time of trial in the desert. […] Even today, many young people find themselves in the desert of life, going through difficult trials, moments of confusion, rebellion, and emptiness.".

“Even today,” continued Farrell, addressing those present at the Meeting, “many young people are bitten by the “burning serpents” of sin, sadness, depression, and unbelief. For them, too, salvation lies neither in human strategies, nor in material possessions, nor in new technologies: it lies in lifting their gaze and receiving from God forgiveness, love, and life.”.

Young people show that by welcoming Christ, a new humanity is born

Finally, then, an invitation ahead of World Youth Day 2027: “We too will lift up the crucified Jesus so that many young people may believe in him and have life. Everything we do during World Youth Day will serve this purpose. And we will do it without fear, without shame, and without compromise. We cannot be ashamed of Jesus; we cannot be ashamed of the cross!”

He added: “One of the most beautiful aspects of World Youth Day is the presence of different cultures, languages, and races, all united in the one faith. Thus, the universal reconciliation signified by the cross is realized. During World Youth Day, young people show the world that divisions, prejudices, and hostilities can be overcome. Young people show that by welcoming Christ, a new humanity is born. A desire emerges to encounter and discover others, to embrace diversity, without fear or closed-mindedness. This is the miracle of communion in the one Spirit that the cross of Christ has brought into the world. ”.