World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 18

teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other . The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring , reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals , liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life .” 14
A stateside leader is not simply an organizer , but one who spiritually accompanies a community . Furthermore , the leader is not accompanying pilgrims by him or herself . Jesus Christ , fellow pilgrims , the local bishop or pastor , and others encountered along the way are also accompanying them . Added to this , the leader is also on the journey ; leaders themselves are pilgrims .
As Pope Francis said , “ Although it sounds obvious , spiritual accompaniment must lead others ever closer to God , in whom we attain true freedom .” 15 Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation , Evangelii Gaudium , teaches that good spiritual accompaniment includes what might be called growth-inducing acceptance and evangelizing service . 16
Acceptance and Challenge None of us is completely mature in our relationship with Jesus Christ and our neighbor . We are all in need of growth , but often we need others to show us what we need to work on . The pilgrim leader offers acceptance of another person in a way that may sometimes challenge that person to a deeper relationship and alignment with Christ . Pope Francis warns that we cannot truly know the “ person ’ s situation ” before God from “ without .” 17 God alone knows the person ’ s heart . But a leader does know some things about choices and behaviors . Pope Francis says that the “ The Gospel tells us to correct others and to help them grow on the basis of a recognition of the objective evil of their actions ( cf . Mt 18:15 ), but without making judgments about their responsibility and culpability ( cf . Mt 7:1 ; Lk 6:37 ).” 18
The stateside leader can keep this very careful balance through recognition of his or her own sinfulness and need for mercy . Everyone needs God ’ s love and mercy ; a profound awareness of this fact should be an important aspect of a pilgrimage .
Everyone who attends the stateside WYDs will come with their own struggles , sinfulness , and personal frustrations . Sometimes these may be shared , and sometimes not . Good leaders recognize and accompany these young
14 Evangelii Gaudium , 169 .
15 Evangelii Gaudium , 170 .
16 Cf . Evangelii Gaudium , 171-173 .
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17 Evangelii Gaudium , 172 .
18 Ibid .