(Listen to this homily here).
Young people today get a bad rap. Yes, they may not cut their hair or seem disengaged while
constantly on their phones or listening to music. I am only thirty years old and already feel like they come
from a completely different place I did!
But
what we need to remember is that young people are starving for love. They have grown up in a world of
consumerism with tons of false images of what it means to be a man or woman
today. They have been told to
invent their own truth and to seek pleasure at all costs.
When
I was at St. John’s I frequently sat in the confessional during our faith
formation gatherings. Our youth
minister would lead different small groups through an examination of
conscience, and afford them the opportunity to come to Confession. We began the same procedure here last
night.
The
only time I have had a desire to break the seal of Confession was to share what
I get to see and hear when a young person comes to Confession. Let’s just say that if the angels
rejoice over one person’s repentance, the angels were having quite a party last
night! It is humbling to see our young people encounter Christ face to face by unloading their burdens and experiencing his forgiveness.
Our
young people are critical to the success of our parish, both now and in the
future. As I mentioned Sunday, we
have more and more coming to Mass.
They are coming to Confession.
They are seeking something to cling to in the midst of a chaotic world.
Please
continue to pray for all of our young people and do everything you can to
welcome them when they join our family!
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