Today is a feast day of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This morning during the celebration of the Eucharist we heard Mary’s song of praise from Luke’s Gospel. This song, which we call often the Magnificat because it begins with the words “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”, flows from the lips of Mary after two events.

Firstly, Mary received the news that she was to give birth to a son, sent by God to save humanity. Though she struggled to understand how this might be possible, she listened and heard the words “Nothing is impossible for God”.

Little by little, her trust grew and she was able to say “May it happen to me according to what you have said.” Mary was able to say yes to what God was asking of her. Through her listening, the yes took form in her life.

Secondly, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also expecting a son. When Elizabeth saw her, she exclaimed: “Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfil his promise.” Her cousin confirms the trust that Mary felt in her heart.

And so, Mary can only give thanks and sing God’s praise. She recalls God’s faithfulness, God’s love and mercy throughout the ages and also how God raises up the lowly, bringing down the mighty, so that God’s justice can reign. Her praise describes what we are all longing for.

When we understand what God is asking us, it isn’t always easy to say yes immediately. Like Mary, we may not always grasp how it is possible to respond positively. That is why we need someone who can walk with us, like Elizabeth, who is not there to tell us what to do, but to confirm us and give us the space so that our yes can grow.

When our yes becomes thanksgiving and praise for all that we have received from God, then we can go forward with joy. What we might have to leave behind seems small faced with the beauty of the path before us.

Yesterday evening, our brother Hongbin made his commitment for life in our community. He spent time as a volunteer here in 2015, sent by his church in China and after returning home he expressed the wish to come back to Taizé in 2016 to deepen his understanding of God’s call in his life.

Our brother Hongbin left behind China and all that was familiar to him to join our community in 2018 and these past years prepared him to now say the “yes” to Christ in our vocation of which you were witnesses. What might seem impossible in human terms becomes possible when we understand how God says yes to us, wherever we are from, whatever our culture or background.

Our community welcomes Brother Hongbin with joy and confirms him in his calling. Now he will continue to say that yes day by day as his calling is renewed. There is a wonderful adventure of faith before us in community, in the Church and wherever God sends us!

Our founder Brother Roger, whose death we commemorate tomorrow on August 16, used to say to us often that we are not people who have arrived at an end point. He liked to quote Gregory of Nyssa, a Christian of the 4th century who said “We never stop going from beginning to beginning through beginnings that never end.”

We are always journeying, but when we journey together, whether that be in community life, as a family, as a church group or just as friends, then our steps become lighter as we support and confirm each other.

When you go home, dare to seek what is possible for God. It will not be easy, because life is very different from what you have experienced in Taizé over the last few days. But in that way you can set out on this adventure of faith, looking for support in each other and in your local church communities.

What Christ asks of us, he also gives to us. How can we bring his peace wherever he sends us? How can we become pilgrims of peace?

Tomorrow evening, come one and all at 8pm to pray in silence for peace in our world, where there are so many conflicts. Let’s not forget the people of Ukraine and those who are suffering in Gaza, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nicaragua and elsewhere.

And we can meet again in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, a small country in north-east Europe, from 28 December to 1 January for our next European youth meeting. We’ll be there to pray for peace and be a sign of a Europe that is open and welcoming to all. We look forward to seeing you there!