The Weekly Challenge is essential for fostering JY fellowships (BJRE055)


The Weekly Challenge is essential for fostering JY fellowships

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021) 

“The main challenge is that everyone is so busy, and our groups struggle." I was speaking to the Jesus Youth leaders in that big city. “Of course, when they gather, they enjoy themselves and generate many ideas. But you rarely see them for a long time once they part ways. This disrupts any plans we make. People are so unpredictable, and we don’t know how to move forward.” This led to significant discussion and reflection.

Fellowship is an essential ingredient of faith life.

The early Christians took the commandment of Jesus very seriously. The Lord asked them to love as he loved and noted that “by this all men will know that you are my disciples” (Jn 13:35). Consequently, they developed a lifestyle of meeting together regularly, sharing fellowship meals, and responding to the needs of every person in their community (Acts 2:46; 4:35). As centuries passed, these intimate, caring, and sharing communities were reduced to mass congregations that come to ‘see the Holy Mass’ or participate in lengthy prayers at large churches. 

Charismatic Renewal became a powerful way to revive many early Christian practices, including vibrant and caring communities reminiscent of those of early Christians. One is introduced to Charismatic Renewal through the LSS (Life in the Spirit Seminar) or an Initiation Retreat. In these sessions, the final instruction was, “Here, you were introduced to a new lifestyle of being guided by the Holy Spirit. However, you need to develop it in a weekly fellowship gathering in your locations.“ Consequently, many participants returned to engage in regular prayer groups. 

My charismatic introduction occurred during a four-day seminar. On the third night, we held a “model prayer meeting.” I distinctly remember making my first spontaneous prayer that evening. Finally, before the seminar concluded, Fr. Marcelino, one of the resource persons, proposed starting a weekly group on that campus. I eagerly signed up, along with about 40 others.

When I reflect on it, this weekly gathering has evolved into a nurturing ground for a vibrant faith life, Christian leadership, and a range of small and large initiatives. It has spanned many decades and undergone numerous highs and lows, yet it has consistently provided a grounding experience for most participants. They returned to the group each week, not out of obligation but out of a desire to feel the spirit's movement and enjoy genuine friendship. Unbeknownst to them, they deepened their faith and became integrated into a community.

Regular attendance in such a fellowship accomplishes three things: i) individuals gradually learn to overcome various personal challenges and grow in their faith, ii) joyful and vibrant relationships are formed, fostering a sense of belonging within a living community, and iii) individuals receive support to witness in their respective situations. Pope Francis articulated this well: “Here and now . . . the Lord’s disciples are called to live as a community which is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are called to bear witness to a constantly new way of living together in fidelity to the Gospel. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of community!” (Evangelii Gaudium, 92)

Gather weekly, not once a month.

Our discussion moved on to the frequency of the meetings. “As people were busy, we proposed a monthly gathering, but when a person misses even one meeting, the gap becomes too long.” Another person raised an issue: By gathering once a month, how will you have a sharing and caring fellowship, and how far will that group be a community? 

I shared one of my interesting memories with them. A group of young people from a parish near Cochin requested a meeting with me. During the meeting, they mentioned that they gathered every evening to pray together. I thought that meeting seven days a week was a bit excessive and conveyed my concern. “But before joining Jesus Youth, we met every day, but that was to engage in really bad behaviors. Now, this daily gathering for prayer and mutual support helps keep us from falling back into those old ways. " I understood their point well; they desperately needed a daily intimate fellowship to stay grounded in their newly found Christian life.

Our discussion continued: People drift away because they don’t feel like part of the body of Christ. Merely attending various teachings or coming for occasional prayer will not provide youth with a sense of belonging. One young person shared how Jesus Youth students at the university hostel meet weekly in small groups and sometimes gather together for a larger meeting. The students eagerly come together, cherishing moments of deep friendship and mutual support. Someone mentioned their family small groups, which don't meet weekly but gather every couple of weeks to share, interact, and pray. “Children enjoy it the most. Even when adults get busy and consider skipping the meeting, the little ones won’t allow us to do so and insist on attending the fellowship.

I shared my experience of meeting in small groups week after week. Those who embraced that challenge grew significantly as mature individuals and committed Christians. Unfortunately, many who could not engage in regular fellowship due to their busy lives fell away. The support of a Christian community is an essential ingredient for growing toward Christian maturity.

We concluded our gathering with a reading and reflection on the exhortation from the letter to the Hebrews: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25). They agreed to challenge youth and families to meet at least once weekly to pray together, reflect on the word, share their lives, and support each other. The meeting concluded with a plan to encourage youth to form weekly small groups, fostering friendship and Christian discipleship. 

Topics:

    Prayer Group

    Habits

    Building Community

    Faith Encounter

    Follow up 

 

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