Learning from the Youth of Today

Oblate ministry brings you to the places you’ve never experienced before and it is always life-changing, inspiring and helps us grow. One of my favorite journeys of being a missionary is my ministry with the Mission With Youth. It is truly a rich opportunity to provide pastoral presence, but also an inspiring journey of faith. Every time I visit elementary and high schools, celebrate Mass or hear confessions with our youth, participate in youth rallies or conferences, I have the sense of not only the one of giving, but also the one of receiving, being blessed. For me it’s an affirmation that we are on the journey of faith together and we learn from each other at each encounter.

What have I learned about the youth and from the youth? What do I see as I encounter young people of today?

I see curiosity…
Young people want to know, want to experience, want to learn. They do not hesitate to ask questions because the attitude of “I’ve got it all” and “I know it all” hasn’t yet become part of their world-view. They still have an insatiable curiosity to discover what life has to offer. This kind of attitude was the beginning of the faith journey of the first disciples, and it still is. After John the Baptist pointed out to John and Andrew, “This is the Lamb of God”, their curiosity of who Jesus was provoked him to ask the question: “What are you looking for?” Their answer was, “Where are you staying?” meaning, we want to get to know you more. Curiosity moves us forward and beyond our comfort zone.

I see honesty…
Young people will tell you like it is, or rather as they see it. Their view might be sometimes unclear or foggy by the influences of others or unfortunate experiences of their young age. But they are honest, and I’m learning from them that I have to develop a listening stance, rather than being quick to judge or assume I know what they are thinking.

I see daring…
There is nothing that will stop the young people. They dream big and they dare to follow their dreams. They are open to meet the challenges of life, and they will make mistakes or wrong choices… Don’t we all? But they will stand up for what they believe, and they have a deep desire to do the best to make a difference. I see this in many ways… young people love to volunteer at our outreach to feed the hungry. They greet the homeless and show them respect. They love to talk to them and to laugh with them. I see them being excited about giving up the March break to travel to poverty stricken countries to build a house, to dig a well – they want to make a difference.

Young people are on the journey and they invite us – it doesn’t matter how old we are, to walk with them.

A few weeks ago about 8,000 university and college students gathered in Chicago, IL for the 2018 Students Leadership Summit. This youth conference is organized by FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Although I wasn’t able to be there, I followed the conference closely online. Sarah Swafford, a young and very inspiring Catholic speaker, shared with the participants about developing healthy strong relationships and friendships. She told them that we have to strive to become the gift, the magnificence of whom God created. No one is perfect, only God. She reminded them something that truly resonated with me. Another moment of learning from the youth!

Unless we are “like really smart” or “a stable genius”, we can all easily realize our own imperfections. I certainly can. But it should not stop me from continuing to be open to growth and embracing my journey of faith. Like the youth of today, I want to be curious, honest and daring. I don’t want to settle for mediocrity… Mission With Youth is a real journey of faith!

“Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” St. John Paul II

By Jarek Pachocki, OMI