Hope in the Young

Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!

I just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to all the youth that may read this, whether of their own free will or at their parents' behest.

I just wanted to say that you (the bold italic lets you know I mean it) can make a huge difference in this world. You are capable of bringing the love of Christ to a hurting world. You can listen and respond to God's call to draw this world back to Him.

You all have so much energy for a reason. Let me put it this way: Jesus, at age 12, was already stirring things up: He did not go with His parents in the caravan but remained in the Temple in Jerusalem "listening [to the teachers] and asking them questions" (Luke 2:41-52).

I love this story, because it captures the whole dynamic perfectly. The young are always ready to get going, ready to get out and accomplish something, to learn, to love, to change the world. The parents, however, get all anxious when something happens that they were not expecting. Indeed, in this passage, Mary says to Jesus, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." Sound familiar, parents?

So the dynamic seems to be that the youth are ready to get out while the parents know that their kids still have something to learn, that they have some growing to do. How do we resolve this tension? First, we have to recognize this is a healthy tension. There is something to be learned on both sides.

Adults and parents can and should recognize that God calls us often from a very young age. Jesus' reply to Mary in this passage is indicative: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49) Don't you bet Mary just wanted to slap Him? Kidding of course. But it does seem that Jesus is being a little insolent here, but of course He is not. He is God. He is perfect, and He would not do that to His mother. Though He did make them look for Him, and the next verse is great: "But they did not understand what he said to them." How many teenagers can relate to that feeling? Heh. It can often be hard for the parents to understand just what is going on in their teenager or adolescent child, even if this be for good.

The other side, however, is that Jesus, though fully God, responds as any 12 year old should respond to His mother: with obedience (insert collective groan from all youth). Yes, in Luke 2:51 we read, "He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them." We young-ins must learn that following God requires that we obey those set over us, for this is the surest path to God's will. In fact, in John's Gospel, it is Mary who brings about Jesus' first miracle at the wedding at Cana (John 2). So she tells him at 12 years-old that it is not yet time, only to usher in His time when He is older and ready. Obedience, therefore, brought about the right timing in Jesus' life.

Youth: "Ha, but I've got you now, Paul. My mom is not Mary, who was conceived without sin, who was therefore a perfect mother. So clearly I shouldn't have to obey her."

Me: "You're right, she's not Mary. But then, last I checked, you aren't exactly Jesus either."

Youth: "I have been schooled."

Okay, but seriously. My whole point is that there is a healthy tension. Parents need to realize that God calls early, and this is good. The Youth need to realize that this does not mean they are free to disobey and make trouble for their parents.

You youth, however, by living your faith within obedience can profoundly change your parents' mindset of your call. I mean, what parent can object to you living your Faith more fully if it makes you more obedient to them, as well as more loving and patient...? And by your faith, they too will be more fully converted, and all of you will move ever closer to the path God has planned for you, a path that can change the lives of so many for the better. And let me tell you, it's an amazing path!

Lest the parents think they got off too easy (obedience sounds great!), I simply wish to remind you of the following: that in the very same verse that Jesus was obedient to His parents, we find that "his mother kept all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51). So I charge you parents, like Mary, to seek within your heart and pray, asking God to guide you to make the right decisions for your children. If your child is expressing a desire to seek the Lord, to follow His call, please encourage your child, talk with your priest, and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that God's will may be done. Parents, do not be afraid to let your children follow God's call. If Mrs. Wojtyla (Woh-tee-wuh) had been afraid to let her child follow God, Karol Wojtyla might not have become Pope John Paul II, one of, if not the Greatest Pope ever. Trust in God. His plan is always amazing!

And just for a little inspirational music dealing with this topic, check out the song titled, "Hope in the Young" (where I got the title for this post) by Jenny Klement at her website (I also have a link in my "Check These Out" section of the blog). It's a short clip, but it's very good, and I love this song.

God bless, and keep seeking the Truth!