His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj proposed seven key pillars for building a spiritually robust personality, drawing on the Gospel reading at the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The feast coincides with International Orthodox Youth Day.
Reflecting on the verse “to present Him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22), the bishop underlined that “young people need to stand – or to be placed – before the Lord, with their entire personal history, whether positive or complicated.”
“The primary goal of a young person must be the righteousness of God – that is, a pure life, as far as possible untainted by destructive passions. An ordered life can generate a clear and lucid mind, with a sound vision of the world, a determined and well-directed will, and also an enlarged heart, able to love in a healthy and responsible way,” the hierarch said.
The need for patience
The Bishop of Sălaj encouraged young people to cultivate patience and remain active in their lives.
“Everything happens in its proper time. A substantial part of our projects depends on our determination, diligence and perseverance, but their fulfilment lies in God’s hands.”
“Faith in God’s work in our lives brings peace to the heart, courage for what lies ahead, and dispels anxiety about an uncertain future. Our inner well-being does not arise from human securities, but from entrusting ourselves to the arms of the Lord – all things are according to God’s will,” Bishop Benedict explained.
The hierarch warned that following God does not mean a path free of challenges or a smooth and uniform journey, but rather one marked at times by outward success, at other times by failure, and even by opposition, whether from outside or from within.
“More than that, in certain situations our experiences can be likened to a sword, which cuts, clarifies and purifies things – even painfully – in order to bring clarity to attitudes, realities or future perspectives.”
Faithfulness to the Church
Bishop Benedict stressed that faithfulness to the Church and to its spiritual practices can lead to profound fulfilment.
“A serious challenge for young people is precisely this perseverance in remaining close to the Church in all circumstances, while understanding the long-term significance that this commitment entails.”
He also underlined the importance of attentiveness and care, so that in everything young people do, they may observe genuine progress in wisdom, through God’s grace.
“The filter by which we select everything we intend to undertake should be precisely spiritual growth, which lies at the foundation of a young person’s personality.”
The Bishop of Sălaj concluded with a message of gratitude addressed to young people in the Church:
“We are grateful to our young people for their active presence in the Church. We always look forward to their challenging us to new initiatives and to seeing them become inspired actors in a living Church – ever young and dynamic.”
Photo: Diocese of Sălaj
