Hello, my name is Martin, I am quite young, sixteen, so it is hard for me to talk to so many intelligent and much deeply spiritual people than me, about this. The thing is… I am a member of a team that helps a certain priest that is responsible for youth ministry in our diocese. We usually help to prepare young people for confirmation, we try to talk to them as “one of them” and we try to help them know God and feel the feeling of community.
There are many people that were actually touched by Christ through our service, but the problem is, that they are usually from different parishes and when they return to their parish… they just fall into old habbits. I am from Slovakia and young people here are all about having fun without consequences, they do not see any future and they franky do not care. I can feel that not only Europe is becoming atheistic, but the whole world and the status quo is generally against spirituality and religions, especially against the Catholic Church.
We should change it. I mean, of course, I am young, I do not know as much as others, but I know one simple thing. “Jesus Christ is the Lord” I have my ups and downs, I have my doubts. But once I promissed to God, that he is the Lord and that nothing that will happen will ever change that. I am constantly changing, my opinions are changing and Christ is the only solid point in my mind and heart. I cannot imagine teenagers who undergo such changes without a solid point. And without God, there is nothing solid in our lives.
I am not quite sure what I am trying to say here.
Nevertheless, the message is this: 85% people become religious between 15 and 23 years of age. If people won’t find Christ early in their lives, they learn to ignore the gap that is left in their hearts. We need to change this. There are so many talented people, so many wonderful people, brilliant people… but not in the eyes of this world. We need to help them. We need to pick this generation up from ashes. Please. I want to do this, but I am powerless. When I was thinking about what I could do… I knew that I cannot do nothing. I am not a great leader, I am not a genius. But as every Christian, I am ““A voice of one calling in the wilderness,”. I am powerless without two things. The Holy Spirit and YOU.
The Holy Spirit is the building block of new and old evangelization. He is the fire of faith. He is what drives us to worship, to praise, to evangelize, to spread the good news about the victory of our Savior.
And you. I would like to call you, not in plural, but singular. In your parish, maybe, there are tens of young people that are addicted to porn, to alcohol, to video games. Because they never felt life. They never felt love and acceptance. Love is missing in the world, but we are at the source of it! So spread it! Please! Take Christ, but in the ways of the new evangelization, and help the young people to meet with him. There are many ways.
Alpha Course.
alphausa.org/Groups/1000042056/Alpha_for_Catholics.aspx?redirected=1#.UEuYMmJiPy0 “Is there more to life?” Many of you will surely know this, but those who do not, contact me on “
vatral.martin@gmail.com”. I have some little experience with Alpha, I have GAT, “Ground Alpha Training” and I am willing to help you with any question, I am willing to pray for everyone of you. But please, listen to me. Young people are calling “SOS”! Save our souls. And there is just one man, one God, that can save them. Save us.
Build little communities, it works! You can start with Alpha, but then, you have to keep the fire burning. Talk to your local priests, talk to your fellow Christians. Meet, pray and discuss your faith. Build yourself. And then spread the word and spread the joy! “We are Easter people and our song is “Hallelujah!”” Blessed John Paul the Great. People will come, people will join. Even among young people. Why? Because even if the world is wrong and devastated… Jesus is still the Lord! And a risen one! “Christos Voskrese!”
Young people can see. But they need help. From you. I was helped and now I can see. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
SOS!
