An excerpt from Chiara Lubich’s address to the sixth international festival (Genfest) of “Youth for a United World,” Paleur Sports’ Stadium, Rome, March 31, 1990. This took place a few months after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the event which gave back to Eastern Europe its freedom.
Let us imagine a slide show where we can see a few scenes symptomatic of today’s world.
In Eastern Europe, in the nations that have recently experienced great changes, we observe people who are overjoyed by their newfound freedom.
Beside them, however, are others frightened and disillusioned, depressed by the collapse of their ideals.
We see on some faces threats of retaliation, revenge, and even hatred.
Let us stop to think: what would Jesus say if he appeared among them? We can be certain: he would still speak today, as he did in his time, of love.
He would say: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12). Only together, in harmony and in forgiveness, can a solid future be built.
Let us move on, as if the series of images before us were fading in and out, to other locations, as for example, to a country in Latin America. On one side we see skyscrapers, often modern cathedrals erected to the god of consumerism, and on the other we see shantytowns—the mocambos or favelas — with abject poverty, both moral and physical poverty, and diseases of every kind.
What would Jesus say about this scene of desolation? “I told you to love one another. You did not, and see now the consequences.” And if other pictures, as in a collage, were to flash before our eyes: cities known as the richest in the world, others with the most advanced technology, and then a panorama of desert wastes with men, women and children dying of hunger. What would Jesus say if he appeared in the midst of it all? “Love one another.” Or if we were to see scenes of racial strife with massacres and violations of human rights… Or unending conflicts like those unfolding in the Middle East with houses collapsing, injuries, deaths and the endless, murderous rain of bombs or other deadly devices?... Let us ask ourselves once again: what would Jesus say in the face of such tragedy?... “I said that you should love one another. Love one another as I have loved.” Yes, this is what he would say looking on at these and the most serious situations in the world here and now.
But his words are not only words of regret for what has not been done. He is truly repeating these words to us today.
He has died but He is risen, and – as He promised – He is with us every day, to the end of the world.
And what he said is of enormous importance. This sentence, “love one another as I have loved you,” is the master key to solving every problem; it is the fundamental answer to overcoming every evil affecting humankind.
The Youth for a United World can find no better way to fulfill their task to cooperate in giving a soul to the world than by bringing love back into it.
Certainly, this is not what it might seem at first glance; it is no easy task.
It is exacting and challenging, but this love has the power to change the world.
Jesus called the commandment of love “mine” and “new.” It is especially his own, since he charged it with unique and new content, “love one another,” he said, “as I have loved you.” And he gave his life for us.
Therefore, our life is being placed at stake with this love. It is a love ready to give its life, and that is what he asks us to do for our brothers and sisters.
Friendship or kindness towards others is not enough for Jesus; neither is philanthropy or solidarity alone. The kind of love that Jesus asks for is more than nonviolence.
It is something active, dynamic. He asks that we no longer live for ourselves but for others. And this requires sacrifice, hard work. He asks everyone to change from spineless and egoistical individuals concerned only with their own interests, only with their own things, into small everyday heroes who, day after day, are at the service of their neighbors, ready to give even their lives for them.
Dear young people, your vocation calls you to this, if you do not want your ideals to vanish in utopian dreams.
You must love in this way, love one another in this way, first by being witnesses to this love yourselves before you propose it to others.
Witnesses, role models: may the world see how you love one another and repeat what was once said of the early Christians: “See how they love one another and are ready to give their lives for one another.” Then a solid foundation will have been laid. The root of the tree we want to see blossom will have been planted.
This mutual love among you will, in fact, bring consequences that we could say have infinite value. Indeed, where there is love, there is God. As Jesus said: “Where two or three are gathered in my name (that is to say, in his love), I am there among them” (Mt 18:20).
You will have then Christ among you, Christ himself, the Almighty, and from him you can hope for all things!
Chiara Lubich
From Essential Writings pp.364-365
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