World Youth Day: Thoughts from Day 5
I am so excited to sleep outside tomorrow night! I made Steve Angrisano mad. :) But I think it shows God's care for me during this trip.
Here's the schedule. We gather in the hotel lobby at 6:30am and head over to the Domain for our national Eucharist. Then we walk to Randwick Racecourse where we vigil through the night until the papal eucharist on Sunday. I wasn't planning on sleeping outside when I arrived, but I honestly feel called to do it. OK ...enough background. Here's why Steve is mad. He bought a sleeping bag at a store here. And honestly? He's going to be COLD! It is cold in Syndey and we will need very good bags. His was on sale for $49.95 and is guaranteed to keep you warm at 32 degrees. Two days later, I go by the same store and get a bag for the same price. It was 50% off of $100 and has a rating of 17 degrees. It's a good bag and should keep me warm.
Enough about my bag!
We had two great concerts tonight. Steve, Curtis, Jesse, and Santiago were in the Domain . . . 40,000 person venue from 6-8:30. Then Matt Maher was in Barangaroo . . . a 150,000 person venue, with Hillsong United from 8-10:15. Both were phenomenal. On the same night, on the two biggest stages at WYD, spiritandsong.com artists were leading people in prayer and worship. It was so great!
Here's the moment. Jesse was singing his newest song, Holy Spirit, Come Now, and two people in the back of the venue were wrapped in Irish flag. They had their heads lifted, eyes closed, and hands raised asking the Holy Spirit to come. Small thing, but it was very moving. Love you all!
UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE . . .
Thank you for your prayers! In the days earlier in the week, I heard some unsettling comments about us pilgrims. The locals seemed to be annoyed and inconvenienced by our presence. But yesterday seemed to be a turning point. There was group from Poland that was singing, dancing, and playing their instruments on the sidewalk. It was great to hear the same people who had complained earlier were sincerely touched by this group's joy. As St. Paul said: “Always be ready to give an account of your joy . . .”
Right now I am at the pre-liturgy concert for the US pilgrims. Matt, Steve, Santiago, and Curtis just finished. It was so cool to see our pilgrims run through the gates of the Domain to sing Your Grace Is Enough and Go Make a Difference.
It is just a gorgeous day! We were told by the bishops that it's OK to wear sunglasses since the sun is so bright. It's just perfect!
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Read all of Robert's World Youth Day reports:
