Bringing Jesus to a fast-changing youth world (BJRE028)
Bringing Jesus to a fast-changing youth world
(By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2019)
When this girl got into my car and settled down, she blurted, “I cannot wait. Please tell me all about how the Jesus Youth movement began. They all told me that you have been there from the beginning.” I was going to take a session for the Jesus Youth Cultural Exchange program, and this young JY leader from Sri Lanka was traveling with me to the program venue. For those who don’t know, the Cultural Exchange program is a monthlong exposure that Kerala Jesus Youth organizes every year for hundreds of tribal and rural youth from across India.
I am quite used to this question about the beginnings of the movement. Over the years, I have developed a narrative with a quick focus on a few milestones, like 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, and 1985. The rest of the history is a quick glossing over. In 1976, a group of us came and discovered a smiling, singing, and friendly spirituality and took steps to continue it in a new youth group. In 1978, a challenge in the form of a letter from Fr Fio to network and bring together young people. In 1981, a new challenge was put forward by Fr Gino to develop a youth-focused vision and the need for a continuing search for it. This led to an informal yet deeply committed fellowship called ‘the First Line group.’ This group, taking up a new challenge from Pope John Paul II, prepared a very creative conference, ‘Jesus Youth 85’, giving the movement a name and a direction. During its keynote speech, Fr Gino made the crowd chant, “I am a Jesus Youth,” in this way, the name came to assume some new significance. Thus, the usual narrative goes on.
Each session of these story narrations brings in a flood of new light. Reflecting on history helps us see God’s hand in ever newer ways. This time, our discussion returned to the points of 1981, when Fr Gino challenged the Charismatic Service Team to focus on reaching out to young people and giving them formation. During this car journey, the rest of the discussions revolved around that.
Revisit your approach to youth.
In September, the senior leaders came together to plan a big national event for the next year. I was to prepare one thousand volunteers for all committees, but that seemed impossible. “But two years ago, you gathered a thousand youth. Where are they now?” Fr Gino asked. You can bring youth together, but if you want them to continue and want them to be future leaders, you need some special approach. The usual Charismatic Renewal is not enough for youth; they need a special youth-relevant spirituality. But often, we all think we know what is good for them. The youth world is rapidly changing, so don’t let us presume that we know the content and approach needed for today's youth. All these discussions led to some very important steps. Interestingly, a team was formed that day to consult widely with young people and report back. I told this girl traveling with me, “I still have that report I presented to the KST.” She was so excited, “Can I sometimes see it?”. “Sure!”.
‘We have to do something about our youth.’ We hear this refrain at different levels of the Church and society. At national and international levels, different forums discuss it; dioceses and parishes struggle with issues on youth guidance; city and village administration rack their heads; schools and neighborhoods wonder how to help youth; and most of our families every now and then wonder about the best way to bring up the young. I often thank the Lord that we, in the Jesus Youth movement, have learned some very important lessons of youth guidance over the years.
“What does the youth of today dislike the most?” I often ask youth groups. “Advice,” they usually replay. “But do you resent advice from your charming and friendly companion?” “No! We would love it”. So, what today’s generation runs away from is not life tips but the context and way they are offered. Where Jesus Youth ministry is effective, some people offer youth essential help in life positively and joyfully. My companion in the car immediately mentioned how some excellent young people left groups only because some of us were rigid and judgmental.
Another important youth guidance tip: don’t presume I know it all. A disposition of love-enriched humility and an attitude of sympathetic listening will help you discern fresh opportunities to be useful to young people. Children and youth of every place and age are a new challenge and a fresh opportunity for creative endeavors. I believe Jesus had such a disposition, and a disciple surely needs the same approach. When the Lord spoke about wine and wineskins and stitching new patches to the old cloth, what else was he hinting at? (Mt 9:16,17) The heart of Youth Ministry is the very young Jesus and the ever-new ways Jesus is brought to the young without losing its fresh flavor.
When we reached Ayroor, where the Cultural Exchange gathering was, my friend was reluctant to leave the car. “There is much to learn about how the Lord builds up Jesus Youth. And sorry, we must stop here.” “Surely, another time,” I assured her. “And I want to see that vision plan you all prepared after all the discussions.” I replied, “That’s not much, but I will show you sometime.” Surely, God has a lot of dreams about young people, and he challenges them in unique ways.
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