This weekend we had our Kairos retreat for our high schoolers. We had fourteen candidates and eleven teen leaders. The opening talk at this program invites the young people to consider the purpose for doing this weekend at all. More than half of the candidates are usually sent by mom and dad, as part of their confirmation requirement. Then there are a few who come because siblings or friends had had a good experience on Kairos in previous years. And then there are two or three who have a spiritual life, yes at that age, and want to go on a retreat
Today is the day after and I keep replaying the tapes of the Kairos, and the wonderful teens I was with. I am again reminded of the importance of evangelization in our Church. Somehow we need to move out of the mode of sacraments being these magical moments of which we jump from one sacrament to another. An underlying question that is on many of the young'ins minds is, what difference does any of these actions make. They grow up in a church that celebrates these rituals, yet seems unmotivated to address Sin, poverty, violence, and hatred. Hopefully the spirit kindled in these young people will bring about true conversion and discipleship in the Church.
Also I am reminded of John Paul II great love for young people. Even in his elderly age he continued to attend the World Youth Days. He enjoyed teaching, preaching, and speaking with the young people of the Church. John Paul II envisioned, and rightly so, young people as members of our Church today. The teen leaders this weekend did an awesome job of putting things together, listening, and engaging the candidates. More so they knew when to ask questions, and when to consult. They did a good job. But these are young people ministering in our Church.
It is so very important to go to the Holy Spirit for guidance, strength, and courage, so as to enable our Church to really do the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Personally I want a bouncy, joyful, active Church, today. But it is all in God's time.
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