Young people will take on a challenge which will cost them everything if presented with an opportunity to do great things

[SteveLy]

**Young people will step up to a great challenge for something of great value, so how do we transmit a mission to believers which is greater than the mission of the world? **Christ called young men to leave good government jobs, family businesses and all that which they previously knew for the unknown and they followed. Why?

He didn’t promise a life of ease. He didn’t promise safety, public acceptance or being well thought of by their spiritual community. He provided a mission which transcended worldly concerns for attainment of eternal benefit for them and the world.

They followed because he gave them an opportunity to do greater things with their life than that which they were currently doing. He gave them an opportunity to play a larger part in the Creator’s plan for the world for their generation and millennia to come.We have largely lost that in today’s church.

One example is when I see “Save Our Parish” signs in yards. I know the family which hasn’t been taught the magnitude of the Kingdom of God and their place as members. Not because their faith isn’t important to them, but because they don’t realize the parish was lost due to lack of teaching and strengthening of the faithful the prior 20 years, rather than budget issues today.

Everyone knows young men and women are the key to the future in rebuilding the foundation of the faith. If leaders call, they will come.

We need only look at the major conflicts of Western history for the past 100 years. Young men saw an opportunity to do something great and did whatever it took to become part of it. The article linked below states some 250,000 under age youth lied about their age to enlist; 50,000 were found out and removed from service. They were willing to give up everything including their life to be part of something for the greater good.

**Young people will take on a challenge which may cost them everything if presented with an opportunity of great enough value. ** And there is nothing of greater value than work for the Kingdom.

Jesus promised hardship, social ostracizing and loss of everything, yet they followed because the mission was worth it.

I realize most people won’t know what to do with a post like this. Even if you wanted to do something about it you wouldn’t know how to begin. I welcome thoughts, ideas and dialogue.

I’ll start with this. Jesus had 12 young men and changed the world. Most parishes have 12 young people which could change their town. How can we go about it?

~Steve

americanveteranscenter.org/2012/02/veterans-of-underage-military-service/

 

[Padres1969]

“Young people will take on a challenge which may cost them everything if presented with an opportunity of great enough value.”

It’s funny, aren’t Millennial accused of exactly the opposite these days. That we’re supposedly so risk averse that we won’t take on challenges if they might cost us everything no matter how big the rewards would be in fear of losing what we have?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I understand the need to inspire young people, but every time I read something like this it kind of sounds like they want the middle-aged and old people to just butt out and stay home.

 

[SteveLy]

“Young people will take on a challenge which may cost them everything if presented with an opportunity of great enough value.”

It’s funny, aren’t Millennial accused of exactly the opposite these days. That we’re supposedly so risk averse that we won’t take on challenges if they might cost us everything no matter how big the rewards would be in fear of losing what we have?

I think many are, but any given person doesn’t have to be! I think my generation and a few before have not served the next generation well. I don’t think leaders have challenged the Church to prosper for the most part.

What do you think?

 

[SteveLy]

I understand the need to inspire young people, but every time I read something like this it kind of sounds like they want the middle-aged and old people to just butt out and stay home.

Thanks so much for answering. Everyone is welcome of course. I think my experience over the years in ministry has shown me that younger folks are generally more open to learning about spiritual matters and have the energy to engage outside the church building.

Younger folks often are still learning about their faith and more open to hearing new ideas.

Are you looking for new ways to engage the membership of your parish or help lead others to a deeper faith?

 

[friardchips]

Thanks so much for answering. Everyone is welcome of course. I think my experience over the years in ministry has shown me that younger folks are generally more open to learning about spiritual matters and have the energy to engage outside the church building.

Younger folks often are still learning about their faith and more open to hearing new ideas.

Are you looking for new ways to engage the membership of your parish or help lead others to a deeper faith?

It is great that you want to inspire young people but fervor comes with grace and this can be any age. I often stand in bewilderment when age limits are put on events for example or things of even bigger magnitude as I think doing so ignores the message of the Bible. One doesn’t have to be young in years to be inspired.

That said, the fact that you wish to inspire young people in particular, is great, and I wish you well in your spiritual endeavours.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Are you looking for new ways to engage the membership of your parish or help lead others to a deeper faith?

No to the first (because the parishes I attend - more than one due to life and work taking me here and there - have a good level of engagement including at least two doing a great deal of work with young people), perhaps yes to the second, but quietly. I am trying to get my own faith nice and deep before I head out to lead others.

 

[HisJoyfulNoise]

**

I’ll start with this. Jesus had 12 young men and changed the world. Most parishes have 12 young people which could change their town. How can we go about it?**

~Steve

americanveteranscenter.org/2012/02/veterans-of-underage-military-service/
Have you heard of FOCUS missions? What I quoted you on reminded me of them because what you said has to do with their approach. They have missionaries go to college campuses to find students, particularly Catholic, ones and talk to them, teach them, are there for them, hang out, all sorts of things I don’t know about. They make good, deep relationships with the few they can and those people are sent out stronger in their faith, and sent out to bring others to Christ throughout their life. In college the majority of people lose whatever faith they had which is why this is needed so badly. They go about this mission using Christ’s example. For example if one Focus missionary acts like Christ did and becomes friends with, leads, teaches, builds up, several such as Christ did with the 12 then sends them out into the world, those several do the same in their own way throughout their life and the people following Christ multiplies! The missionaries also follow Christ and the 12 in their living, they live in poverty and must depend on the generosity of others in order to continue their work because they are not-for-profit and full time. They have some goal (I’m not sure what precisely it was) they are shooting for in their mission that they hope to achieve in the next 33 years (Christ’s lifetime). When I decided to write this it wasn’t to ask for money for them but as I think of it, if you are well off…they do need money. You can donate to a missionary on their website. They also need prayers! Something I’ve noticed is many people think that prayers are secondary or inferior to other forms of help, but as saints say if we knew the power of prayer the world would be a very different place and we would be on our knees (something like that ). Focus website for more info: focus.org/

 

[HisJoyfulNoise]

I’ll start with this. Jesus had 12 young men and changed the world. Most parishes have 12 young people which could change their town. How can we go about it?

~Steve

americanveteranscenter.org/2012/02/veterans-of-underage-military-
service/

The idea I quoted you on I find brilliant and it is probably one of the most effective strategies. I think we need intentionality, strategies, plans, put in action in our world for changing it. More specifically for changing the souls in the world ** For the things that matter most! Eternal things!**
I am a young person myself, towards the very young end of the young scale . I know my friends and many young people want, I would say I long, to use everything we are and are meant to be, for the good of the world. I want to use everything I am and God made me to be, to please and serve Him, and to bring as many souls as I can to Him for eternity. My friends and I talk about making a difference (cliche right?) but feel pretty helpless to help others. Sometimes suppressed. I am trying to start a small temporarily 4-person missionary group to pray and serve the ways that we can. To do the Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy and live according to the Beatitudes. To try to better follow Christ. And to do the things Mary always asks of every person in her many apparitions. But the devil likes to put so many road blocks in people’s way when they want to do good things. Like keeping us very busy with other usually necessary things, we all don’t have a way to get around, we don’t have any money to spend or any income etc. Resistance is coming on strong! I know my friends and I are afraid to come out of our small comfort zones. Reluctant to use the little free time we have after un-enjoyable duties for others. Reluctant to pray especially, and also read the bible because of spiritual dryness, usually finding them boring while knowing how necessary and good they are. Reluctant to give up our pleasures and to give up our will. I’m not sure what the deal is with this post…But I’m going to try be one of those ‘twelve’ even if I “just” change one person’s life for the better (we live in a pretty big city ) God bless!