3. What is perhaps most striking in today's modern society in which we live is the loss in many of the true meaning of life. In a large sector of today's society, the transcendent meaning of existence has been obscured or sometimes lost. And, no longer knowing why and for whom one lives, it is easy to be swept away by the rush of passions, selfishness, cruelty, anarchy of the senses, the destruction of drugs, and despair.
We must turn our eyes to Christ: He alone "is the light that shines in the darkness; He is the true light that enlightens every man" (Jn. 1:5, 9).
Jesus is the Incarnate Word, the Revealer and Redeemer, who proclaims with absolute and definitive word, because it is divine, the authentic meaning of life, a precious gift given by God, who is the mysterious and merciful Love, which we must accept and make bear fruit, in function and in the perspective of eternal happiness. "I am the light of the world," Jesus said, "whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12). It is this fundamental and essential light that people are in living need of, always, but particularly today. Like the blind man of Jericho, recalled by the Gospel, modern man must turn to Jesus, with total confidence. "What do you want me to do for you?" - the Divine Master asked him; the blind man replied, "Lord, may I see again!" And Jesus healed him, saying, "Have sight again! Your faith has saved you!" (cf. Lk 18:35-43).
Only Christ can fully enlighten us about the problem of life and history: always be convinced of this and witness consistently and courageously to this faith of yours!
[Pope John Paul II, Todi November 22, 1981]