Longing for the See and Yet Not Afraid: Proceedings of the New York Encounter 2016

We embark on the journey of life spurred by a promise of happiness in our heart. But then, fear of the unknown makes us hesitant, especially if the destination is not certain. Desire choked by fear appears to be the common experience of our time.

We strive to build relationships and overcome divisions, and yet we end up sti- ing true dialogue, due to preconceptions or conformity to the demands of polit- ical correctness. We dream of achieving greatness in some dimension of our lives, and yet we settle for a comfortable life. We ache for something new (and con- stantly check our smart phones in expectation), and yet we abhor events that are out of our control. We crave stability, but we are unsure that what is true today will still be true tomorrow. We strive to be more "mindful" in the present, and yet our mind is always eeing from the here and now. We desire belonging, and yet we dread relinquishing our freedom. We long to encounter a lover, a friend, a father who will break through our radical solitude, and yet we are afraid of losing ourselves.

We long to sail on the sea of life and yet we are afraid of leaving our safe harbor.

What is the nal word on man's desire? Is there an attraction capable of over- coming our fears and drawing us out to the open waters that our hearts yearn for?

"The "I" fnds itself again when it encounters a presence that brings this announcement:
'What your heart is made for does exist '"
(L. Giussani)