On WYD.

A friend recently blogged about World Youth Day, why he would not go, and the millions of dollars spent by youth and churches worldwide in order to congregate at Radwick Racecourse in Sydney this July. He claimed that it would be money better spent on helping the poor and disenfranchised, rather on a global mega-event.

On one level, I’d agree with him. Millions of dollars can be better put towards charities and missions. But on the other hand, WYD is a symbol. It is a gathering of people from all walks of life. Different nations. Different ideas. Unified by a single commonality.

WYD is not merely another event, it is also a symbol of Christian unity.

Just think of it. A million persons stretched out as far as the eye can see, raising their hands together and praising God in different tongues. It’s a beautiful image, isn’t it? It’s a sight that millions of dollars cannot buy. It is a symbol of hope and solidarity. An inspiration.

WYD is also a call to mission. When that ite missa est is proclaimed, it will touch the lives of millions, not just the ones at Radwick, but every person who cares to pay attention to what’s going on in Sydney. From there – and I can promise you, I have seen it happen – there will be a flood. An outpouring. And lives will never be the same.

So why spend millions of dollars getting people to a single place? The answer is simple, because from that place, millions of dollars will go out to those in need. And more than mere money, but lives changed. Some will go back and help the needy in their communities, some will join missions, some will devote their lives and time to helping others.

That is why we spend millions of dollars going to WYD, because the outpouring from there will not be just mere millions of dollars. You must sow the seed before you can reap the wheat, and WYD is the sowing, on a global scale.