Pope Francis gives us a reminder and a shot in the arm for the journey ahead when he writes:
“Dear friends, look at the real heroes who come to light in these days: they are not famous, rich and successful people; rather, they are those who are giving themselves in order to serve others. Feel called yourselves to put your lives on the line. Do not be afraid to devote your life to God and to others; it pays! For life is a gift we receive only when we give ourselves away, and our deepest joy comes from saying yes to love, without ifs and buts for then we truly say yes to love, without “ifs and buts” just as Jesus did for us.”