«You young people represent the future: tomorrow’s world will be in your hands and this often gives you antennas to tune into special waves, those that know how to transmit daring projects, like the dream of a new world, a more united one. The title of today’s program is also a confirmation of this: “Rays of Light Beyond the Darkness.” Yes, immersed like everyone in the struggles of our day, your hearts and minds are convinced that a radiant dawn will give meaning to your search. Only Jesus has said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” and whoever encounters and follows him finds the Light. Also Lorenzo, a young martyr from the beginning of Christianity, in looking at Jesus found the courage to say to his persecutors: “My night has no darkness, and all things are full of light to me.” We often hear said that humanity today is living through one of the darkest nights in history, that we are in need of light, a light that can break through the darkness. My experience, the experience of many in the Focolare Movement, shows us that God has not left us alone, not even in the darkest of nights. It was a discovery that totally changed our lives. When Jesus on the cross cried out: “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?” he took on every darkness, the sufferings of every human being in every era. This is an infinite mystery, the limitless measure of his love for us. And from that moment, every suffering took on one name: Jesus forsaken. He would reveal himself to us in a thousand ways: isn’t the person in anguish, or lonely, separated, disoriented similar to him? Isn’t Jesus forsaken the image of every form of division, of yearning for God, of alienation, and violence? And don’t you think it is stupendous to be able to share with him the sufferings that are within us and in every person we meet? If this is true, then we can choose Jesus forsaken as our “travelling companion” in life, and welcome him into our heart as the most precious pearl. Dearest young people, in looking at Jesus forsaken, you will be able to face up to any situation. In fact, you will be like “rays of light” in your environments, so as to guide our humanity towards universal brotherhood». Chiara Lubich