This little quote by Pope Francis in his interview about youth was printed as translated by Anna Milano Appel in a book titled God Is Young. (© 2018, Random House, New York) I was tickled by both the quote and the title of the book. 

How can it be that God is Young? He has been in existence forever and ever! Oh, where to start?  

Let me deal with the quote first. Mainly because I was thrilled to read what the Pope wrote about old age. On page 3 of the book, he states: “When I say “old” people, I don’t mean it as a bad word. It is a beautiful word. We must be joyful and proud of being old, just as we are proud of being young. Old age is a privilege. It means having experience, being able to know and recognize our faults and our merits; it means the ability to be potentially renewed, just as when we were young; it means having acquired the understanding necessary to accept the past and, above all, to have learned from the past.” 

What a hopeful lesson for me. I have noticed that recently that I remember events from a long time ago, in many cases, events that occurred when the people that I am speaking with were not even born. I do feel empowered by these memories because they allow me to translate my learning into today’s world.  

So, why does Pope Francis say that God is young? You may think that I am taking the easy way out here, but the best way to explain what he means is to quote his words-otherwise, I would just be rearranging what he said. This quote is preceded by a discussion of God’s love in which Pope Francis refers it that love as “visceral.” He gives several biblical examples. Then he goes on the add the following: “But I would like to add something more about God. In the book of Apocalypse (Revelation 21:5) there is this phrase: “The one who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” God therefore is He who always renews, because He is always new: God is young! God is the Eternal One who has no time but is able to renew and rejuvenate Himself and all things continually.” 

The passage from Revelation is one of my favorites. It expresses such hope for the future and now it presents a new aspect of God for me to rejoice in.  

In referring to God’s love as visceral, Pope Francis tells us that God’s love is that of Father and Mother as our Creator. That parental love that will sacrifice anything for their children. Just as Jesus Christ did for us. That love is unconditional and for all of God’s children.  

This little book was written/translated from an interview that was aimed at the youth of the world, but there are lessons held within for all of us. Pope Francis asks the world’s young to consider a cure for world problems with a “revolution of kindness.” That’s a topic for another day. 

Please keep Pope Francis in your prayers as he is currently ill and in hospital with pneumonia. A difficult disease for anyone, much harder for one who has compromised lungs and is a blessed old person. 

Terri