|
|
|
|
|
What will we, the Church of the early 21st century, give to the people of the next century? In 30+ years of priesthood, I see people who faithfully attend the Eucharist each Sunday, but increasing numbers are choosing not to attend Mass. This is especially true among younger folks. Our ancestors came to the United States in great numbers from Europe and established parishes, schools, hospitals, and even universities to educate their children. They wanted to practice their faith in freedom, and to raise their sons and daughters as good Catholics. Catholicism was important to our ancestors. Think of all the sacrifices they made to build churches, schools, and hospitals to serve the growing Catholic population. They thought it was a blessing if a son became a priest or brother; if a daughter became a nun or religious sister. Where did they get all their energy to leave Ireland, Germany, Poland, Italy, or wherever, and start all aver again? Do we have this enthusiasm when it comes to being Catholic in 2003?
What are our young people looking for from us? Do they find the person andmessage of Jesus relevant? What does a Catholic Christian, who lives as a disciple of Jesus and lives the gospel, look like? Young people don't want to be TOLD what a Christian is; they want to SEE what a Christian looks like day after day, not just on Sundays. "Don't tell me about Christianity, but show me a living Christian!" A Christian is called to be kind, compassionate, generous, forgiving, accepting, free, loving, alive, joyous, and a person of peace. Our Christian faith has to be real and the center of our lives. If it isn't, why would our young even be interested in our way of life?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gandhi read the New Testament everyday and often quoted from the Christian Scriptures. A reporter once asked him why he never became a Christian. He answered, "If I ever met one, I would have become one." Just like our young, Gandhi wanted to see an authentic Christian. I think it was G.K. Chesterton who said, "Christianity hasn't failed. It's just that it has never been tried."
I believe that parishioners of St. John's want to do more than witness the Christian life; they really want to live as authentic Christians: true to self and true to God. Like you, I try, but it's easy to get distracted in a country of wealth, power, and the "good life." The challenge of our times is to be authentic, real people; authentic Christians. Our young people are bombarded daily with new "ideas": new ways of thinking, acting, dressing, behaving. All this is shaping their lives. Do they know that there will be consequences? I want the very best for the youth of St. John's. And I believe and I hope you do, too, that the best is a relationship with Jesus Christ as a member of the Christian community. Christianity is a way of life that still makes sense in 2003. Easy? No!! Why Not? The teaching of Jesus is very different from the prevailing thinking of American culture. Jesus never asked, "What's in it for me?" Jesus is all about service, especially to the least of our sisters and brothers. In order to be a good servant, one must be disciplined. Discipline makes a person free: good, true, noble, right. Jesus is all about LOVE: love of self, others, God.
But true love involves discipline. Yes? No? (circle one)
The Way of Jesus is _________________ (fill in the blank)
Fr. Bill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
