Reflections on Jesus Youth (BJRE***)

  Stirring youth enthusiasm and sustaining it, the Jesus Youth way (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) “Today’s youth have a serious problem; most lack motivation. Almost nothing challenges them, and they live from one moment to the next.” We were discussing today’s youth. Educational experts had gathered to prepare input for a government-appointed commission. The team found Christian youth backward in comparison with other groups. Of course, many Christian educational institutions and organizations also plan youth programs, but most young people respond with growing apathy and boredom. In our group, many were asking how to evoke an enthusiastic response from our youth today.  What ails youth today! In my parish, the second Mass is for youth and children on Sundays. After the catechism class, they come and stand in groups. Mostly, the small ones are alive and active, but when I look at the middle schoolers upward, I see a particular expression on the...

Doubts and questions: youth need friendly places to raise them (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) “He has so many questions. Some are a bit too much for me. Could you spare some time?” Suma had been accompanying this youth for a few months and now needed further help. But my worry was, ‘Will he be open and comfortable with me?’ Fortunately, she arranged a Zoom call among the three of us. Doubts are a sure sign of growing up. Our faith journey is a winding path of joys, troubles, assurance, and doubt. Many young people are confused, especially during the initial phase of their interior pilgrimage. Remaining insensitive to them and, worse still, reacting to their questions with ridicule is truly heartless. On the other hand, it is important to ask where we have welcoming places for our youth to raise their questions and doubts.  In his encyclical ‘Faith and Reason’, St. John Paul II explains the importance of doubts and questioning. We receive traditions ...

Why is Jesus Youth not eager to organize competitions? (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) When I paused during the session, one young person said, “But why don’t we have competitions?”. This was during training for ‘Kids Companions’ or young JY who will reach out to children. Among the different things these youth can do, I mentioned teaching them some skills. Then, we started listing some possible skills. Naturally, the discussion went on to skill-related competitions. I said, “Competitions have a very limited scope, and they can also be damaging.” He questioned that. For many people, youth work means competition. The parish committee discussed, “Youth Day is coming. What should we do?” Gather the youth, have a talk, and then arrange competitions. Most will not be interested in the talk, but many will come to take part in the contests. And what items? Songs, dance, painting, memory skills, different sports items, etc. Then, have some prizes for the first, ...

Gifting Young People with Rich Memories (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) The art ministry team had its first meeting at Chavara Bhavan, Kainakary. When I tried to check how to go there, Google Maps said, “Can’t find a way there.” Later, I realized there was no direct way, as I had to cross the river in a private boat. This Jesus Youth coordinating team was having their first physical gathering after the long spell of COVID-induced isolation, and they had chosen an out-of-the-way place. I was wondering why they did that. But my trip there was so enjoyable and unforgettable that I understood why those youths chose that place. Every young person who spent the weekend would never forget that ‘first’ meeting.  Gifting of unforgettable memories “Your session is for this group of fresh youth,” Chackochan told me, briefing me on the forthcoming input. But you will have to talk as you walk with them through the forest over a riverbed. In between, you can sit o...

Temptations of some good Jesus Youth (By Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) “Pope John Paul II, while speaking on the mission of the laity, talks about two strong temptations that most modern lay Catholics could not overcome. What do you think these temptations would be?” In many discussion groups, I have raised this question.  They would respond by mentioning a variety of modern problems: running after pleasure or money; some speak of grabbing power; others raise issues of sexual misconduct, and so on. Then, I would take “Christifideles Laici” by the Pope and read from #2. Firstly, “the temptation of being so strongly interested in Church services and tasks that some fail to become actively engaged in their responsibilities in the professional, social, cultural and political world” and “the temptation of legitimizing the unwarranted separation of faith from life.” I often see that many of my listeners do not easily understand the big implications of what this ...

Growth is all about continuity and new beginnings. (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) There is a group activity that I try out during leadership training sessions. I would ask the group to move around silently and form clusters of similar people.  Then, it is interesting to watch how the group would react. Some would start quickly but then slow down. Some would wait and watch for a while and then go about with a plan. Some others bring together different clusters. In brief, among us, there are eager starters and faithful continuers. The challenge is, how to combine both these aspects in personal life and in our groups so that a balanced growth would be possible.  Starters Vs. those who hold on When, in 1978, Fr Fio asked the Kerala Charismatic Team to gather young people in our state, youth groups had already been quite active in many other states. Those early starters could boast of efficient leadership and colorful activities, but we were quite t...

Discussion groups are so special for Jesus Youth. (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) "Pope’s new encyclical has come. Some of us can gather online daily. Could you help us study it in detail?" The request came from a leader of a country.  But I said, “Mine will only be an animating presence. Every day, one person can briefly introduce the portion to be read that day; all would study that part, then come back the next day and discuss it.” That was the beginning of a four-week-long study, and it became an enriching formative journey for all of us.  Such discussion groups can be simple and interesting, yet a highly beneficial approach to study and formation. What are some of its advantages? Persons of different sociocultural and intellectual levels gather; everyone listens, and each one talks. In effect, it becomes a highly conducive ambiance for building up confidence and self-esteem in everyone. If youth get formed in such simple discussion groups,...

Jesus Youth 85 – A dream come true and seed for the future (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020) Last month, the leaders of different talent initiatives in Kerala met together, and they wanted to hear my thoughts on how to move forward. These core team members of young artists, musicians, media enthusiasts, and theatre-related initiatives have been coming together for many months, but now they were asking, ‘What next?’. Over the years, I have seen the same thing happening in many such groups. For a time, they go forth with much creative enthusiasm, bearing abundant fruits, and then suddenly find themselves out of steam, wondering which direction to take.  I started sharing with them my old memories of that late evening meeting at Vimala College, Trichur, in early 1985. I joined the Program Committee of the forthcoming conference to finalize details. There were six of us: Jos Jacob, the coordinator of the program team; its members Fr Jose Palatty, Sr Cleopa...

Building culture - is it so important?  Surely, it is at the heart of the Jesus Youth mission (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020) There was some dispute as we were preparing for the big 1985 conference. Some looked forward to a gathering emphasizing prayer and preaching in the familiar mode, where drama, dance, and similar expressions had no place. Others wanted a colorful celebration of young people who had experienced freedom in Christ. Finally, Jesus Youth 85 was not a “regular retreat” but a more exuberant youthful gathering, with enough space to showcase youth culture, their interests, and their talents. One of the quotes that kept coming up during those discussions was from St. Irenaeus: “Man fully alive is the glory of God.” Our mission to lead youth to a “life in its fullness” (Jn 10:10) is closely tied to their self-discovery and to using their talents in service of others. Out of this vision came the dream of Jesus Youth as a place of abundant ...

 Beauty in prayer is at the heart of Jesus Youth. (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020) “Please stop!” Father said this gently yet firmly, and the noisy babble abruptly stopped. All were singing in tongues aloud, but it was not very pleasant to listen to. Fr Gino pointed out from Psalms that singing in the Spirit is ‘making a joyful noise to the Lord’; it should be beautiful, not irritating babble. He also took two passages from First Corinthians – ‘Spirit of the prophets are subject to prophets’ (14:32) and ‘God is not a God of confusion but of peace’ (v33). With some attention, a group can pray and sing pleasingly and nicely, but if not, it can become just an irritating loud noise. This was 1982 during a training session for nearly a hundred youth from all over the state. All had their personal initiation into the Renewal under different preachers and had different spiritual styles. But on the first day, Father made clear that certain order and beauty, e...

Minimalism - Why does Jesus Youth love it? (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020) “Four sons I have, and the second one, a JY. About him, I was worried, thinking he was careless about money matters. Unlike his brothers, he is not eager to buy many things, and his home is simple and bare. But now I see his point. His life is not cluttered, but he is focused, loving, and happy. Perhaps that looks much better.” Many active Jesus Youth are ‘minimalists with a mission.’ What is minimalism? It is an attempt to live with the essential things you need and give up what distracts you. Very often, such a life has a clear focus, which results in greater freedom and enjoyment of the little things in life.  Less is more  Is it being miserly, not spending money for your real needs? No, the lifestyle of minimalism is all about the simplicity of living and the joy of giving away.  Joy and generosity are at the heart of it. “Nowadays, many who take life seriously a...

  Jesus Youth, a cradle for grooming leadership and talents  (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020) ‘I am from a fisherman family and grew up facing all kinds of deprivations. But none of that stopped me from dreaming.” Sabin enthusiastically narrated his personal journey. Three things he should pray for when he visited a new Church his father had told him. He would pray faithfully for a high-quality camera, that he would be the best cinematographer, and that he would do some great media work. They would have laughed if anyone had heard about these big dreams of a poor boy from a seaside village. So, he never told anyone about it. “The great turn in my life happened with joining an active Jesus Youth group. Now I am only 23 and, can you imagine, talent-wise, professionally, and by way of having opportunities to handle expensive equipment, I have done marvelously.  All this happened through the unimaginable opportunities and contacts I got in this ...

Joy in fun and play: JY needs it (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020) “We must teach our youth to have fun and games when they come together.” This was a point of discussion in one First Line gathering. But there was stiff resistance.  “No! Our youth are already too playful and waiting for a chance to have fun. We come together for prayer and evangelization. If our groups become places of fun, that will kill all that spirit, and we will become like any other loose youth group.”  After all the fights and discussions, the group decided to take a new direction. The First Line group realized we needed training because fun and play were unnatural to our Charismatic ways and teachings. We invited one Tomy from Alleppy, a total outsider, to challenge and train us. For three days, he broke the ice of all of us key people in the movement, making us run around, laugh, play, and make ourselves like children who enjoy the exhilarating company. It was early in 198...