World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 77

Give us strength, wisdom and humility

excitement and gratitude for the transformation

to respond to the great needs

that occurred, but it can also be difficult as

of our brothers and sisters around the world.

pilgrims re-enter the routine of daily life. Even

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

after the Resurrection, the Apostles had this
same challenge after watching Jesus ascend to

Scripture

heaven. The angels asked them: “Why are you

Read the Transfiguration Story:

standing there looking at the sky?” We must

either Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-10, or Lk 9:28-37

make sure to ask ourselves that if we remain
“standing here” looking at pictures and videos

Catechesis and Reflection

and talking about the great moments of World

When the disciples witnessed the

Youth Day in Kraków, without ever going out

Transfiguration of Jesus, they were so amazed

and answering the call to evangelize. By this

and wanted to stay with Him on the mountain.

point in the journey, you have opened your

They were so in awe of what they had seen and

heart to experience Christ. Many of you have

experienced that they didn’t want to leave. As

gone far beyond your comfort zones and

we reflect back on our experience from World

experienced frustrations and roadblocks

Youth Day, some of us want to stay on that

throughout this pilgrimage. Yet the Lord still

mountaintop. After experiencing so many

asks more of you. Now as you walk down the

beautiful aspects of the Catholic faith these past

mountain and re-enter everyday life, you are

several weeks, some felt as Peter, James, and

challenged to keep Christ present in your life,

John did when they were in the presence of the

while also sharing the joy of the Gospel with

glorified Christ at the top of the mountain,

others along the way, accompanying one

accompanied by Moses and Elijah, the pillars of

another on your mutual journeys.

their Jewish faith; but that wondrous moment
was only a portion of their experience. Jesus

Small Group Activity

called his followers not only to be disciples, but

Share with one another different mountaintop

missionaries – to bring what they had learned

experiences of World Youth Day, and how

and experienced and share that with others.

those might inspire you (or where they might

Now Jesus calls us to do the same – to not only

be pointing you) as you “come down from the

believe and understand the faith, but to share

mountain.” What evangelization steps and

the Gospel with others. Coming back down

merciful acts are you considering doing as a

from the mountain comes with some

response to the events of World Youth Day?
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