Be Protagonists, Not Spectators!

INTRODUCTION

It is, therefore, imperative that we instill in our minds and hearts a positive outlook towards today’s youth and provide them with venues and means to make them protagonists.

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Three million young people from 195 countries gathered in Rio, last July, to celebrate life, faith, and mission at the World Youth Day. Their hearts were set on fire by the presence of Pope Francis who, with his very human and warm approach, reached out to all, reviving in them the joy of faith and commissioning all to “go,” “not to be afraid” and “to serve” thus, empowering them to be protagonists in building “a more beautiful church” and “a better world” for all to live in.

The ‘fire’ that has been ignited must not die! The renewal of the Church and of society is, indeed, in the hands of the young. They are heirs of a heavy inheritance: corruption, poverty, crime, indifference, discredit and anti-church feeling… but they are also the windows of hope. If society’s future lies in the capacity to harmonize and solidify creativity and commitment of the young, drawing wisdom from older generations, we may also say that the Church also needs a spirit of appreciation for both the young and the old, in a common mission of reaching out to all. If our concern is to pass on lasting values that make life worth living and share a faith that is ever more incarnated in the concrete situations of today’s word, then we cannot afford mistrusting the younger generations, much less, accuse them of remaining at the side. It is, therefore, imperative that we instill in our minds and hearts a positive outlook towards today’s youth and provide them with venues and means to make them protagonists rather than spectators.

In the Philippines, where the youth comprise almost one-third of the country’s population, only one of eight is involved in religious or recreational organizations and only one out of ten, in youth organizations. The young are the ‘hidden treasure’ that the Church should truly encounter and claim as precious. For this, three things are needed: First, to be a church with ‘open doors’ to everyone, where parish priests make time to welcome, listen and mingle with people, particularly, the young, giving them a greater sense of belonging. Second, there is need to speak a common language – the language of simplicity, togetherness, inclusion and participation. This is the language that can cross barriers of age, race and culture. Social networking may be a useful way to meet the young, but nothing can replace presence and witnessing. The sweetest words typed will always fall short of a warm embrace and a smile. Third, appreciate the young, their enthusiasm, creativity, joy and voluntarism. They may not have all the doctrines or know all the dogmas, but they have a great capacity to love and to serve in Jesus way, given the good example, trust and confidence to carry on.

As Pope Francis went through the streets of Rio, well protected by security forces and barricades, young Nathan de Brito, a young boy, broke through and hugged the Holy Father. Without hesitation, he whispered to his ear:

“Your Holiness, I want to be a priest of Christ, a representative of Christ” (www.cathnews.com). Moved to tears, Pope Francis smiled. He probably felt that his journey to Rio had already borne fruits. Young Nathans, with their hopes and wild dreams, are the hope for a more “beautiful church” and a better world. To be a priest of Christ might not be a call for all, but to be a servant of Christ is God’s privileged gift to all who accept it and embrace this challenge with joyful hearts. The Church must encourage the youth to be protagonists, not spectators!

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