Pope Leo XIV addressed a video message to the participants of the SEEK26 Conferences, which are being held from January 1 to 5 in the US cities of Columbus, Denver, and Fort Worth. In his address, the Pontiff especially addressed the young people, inviting them to honestly question the meaning of their life and their vocation, starting from Jesus’ evangelical question to the first disciples: “What are you looking for?”.
Drawing inspiration from the passage in the Gospel of Saint John about the encounter of Andrew and another disciple with Christ, Leo XIV emphasized that faith is born from a personal encounter with the Lord and that from that encounter necessarily springs missionary zeal. The Pope encouraged the attendees to take advantage of the conference as a privileged time for prayer, sacraments, and Eucharistic adoration, and exhorted them not to be afraid to welcome God’s call, whether to the priesthood, to consecrated life, or to marriage, trusting that only Christ can fulfill the deepest longings of the human heart.
Here is the complete message from Leo XIV:
Dear friends:
It is a pleasure for me to greet all of you participating in the SEEK26 Conferences taking place in Columbus, Denver, and Fort Worth. You are gathered during the Christmas season, when some of the Gospel readings at Mass come from the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint John. Toward the end of this chapter, we learn something about Jesus’ first two disciples, one of whom was Andrew. They were disciples of John the Baptist and, after John referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God, they immediately began to follow Jesus (cf. v. 36). When Jesus saw them, he turned and spoke the first words recorded in the Gospel of Saint John: “What are you looking for?” (cf. v. 38).
Jesus asks this question of the disciples because he knows their hearts. They were restless—in the good sense. They did not want to settle for the normal routine of life. They were open to God and longed for meaning. Today, Jesus directs this same question to each one of you. Dear young people, what are you looking for? Why are you here at this conference? Perhaps your hearts are also restless, seeking meaning and fullness, and guidance for your lives. The answer is found in a person. Only the Lord Jesus brings us true peace and true joy, and fulfills each of our deepest desires.
The disciples respond by asking him where he was staying. It was not enough for them that someone else told them Jesus is the Lamb of God; they wanted to know him personally by spending time with him. During this conference, you too will have the opportunity to spend time with the Lord. For some of you, like Andrew, it may be your first real encounter with Christ. For others, this weekend will be an opportunity to deepen your relationship with him, as well as your understanding of the Catholic faith. Be open to what the Lord has prepared for you!
The two disciples were initially with Jesus for only a few hours, but that encounter changed their lives forever. The first thing Andrew did afterward was to go and tell his brother Simon: “We have found the Messiah” (cf. v. 41), that is, “We have found the one we were looking for!” It is the response we can all give once we too come to know the Lord. This passage, therefore, also speaks to us about what it means to be a missionary. After encountering Jesus, Andrew could not help but share with his brother what he had found. Indeed, missionary zeal is born from an encounter with Christ. We desire to share with others what we have received so that they too can come to know the fullness of love and truth that is found only in him. I pray that, as you leave this conference, you all feel moved by this same missionary zeal to share with those around you the joy you have received from a genuine encounter with the Lord.
Dear young people, as you draw near to Jesus during this weekend, through fellowship, the sacraments, and Eucharistic adoration, do not be afraid to ask him what he is calling you to. Some of you, like Andrew and Simon Peter, may be called to the priesthood, to serve God’s people through the celebration of the sacraments, through the preaching of God’s word, walking alongside God’s people. Others may be called to religious life, to give themselves entirely to God; others, finally, may be called to marriage and family life. If you feel the Lord calling you, do not be afraid. Once again, let me emphasize that only he knows the deepest longings, perhaps hidden, of your heart, and the path that will lead you to true fulfillment. Let yourselves be led and guided by him!
Since this conference begins on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, let us ask her to lead us to Jesus Christ, her Son, so that we may truly come to know him, to know his love for us and the wonderful plan he has for each of our lives. In that way, our hearts will truly find rest in the one we are seeking.
Entrusting each one of you to the maternal intercession of Our Lady, I gladly invoke upon all of you and your families the divine blessings of this Christmas season.
And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.