We need young people who are ‘restless’ for their peers (BJRE051)

 We need young people who are ‘restless’ for their peers

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2022)

The last weekend of June 1986 was quite extraordinary. About a hundred college students from all over Kerala gathered at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, to join hands for a change on college campuses. This gathering became a significant first step in the movement's history, creating a new platform to connect activities on college campuses.

“When I went to my college to get the admission form,” Santhosh from Trivandrum enthusiastically shared, “as I climbed the steep flights of steps, I prayed, ‘Lord, if I get admitted here, let it be to bring many to you. ' " Sony, an engineering student from Kothamangalam, discussed her struggles to start a group in her college. Treasa from Trichur spoke about the support from the sisters that made student gatherings possible at her college. This continued. Many of these students expressed their deep desire to help other young people in their colleges, which soon evolved into plans for the future. Before they left on Sunday, the Jesus Youth Campus Ministry was born.

How change-makers are born

Youth is a time of restless dreaming. Before they become ‘mature’ and begin to build a comfortable life, they look around and yearn for the impossible, particularly in the world surrounding them. When touched by Christ’s spirit, this ignites a fire eager to spread ‘to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). If this small fire stands alone in the wind, it will soon be extinguished. However, when many small flames come together, they create a bonfire.

Recently, I presented some of Jesus Youth's social concern initiatives to a large group of students from social work departments across Europe. Later, many of them commented, ‘This gives us great hope amidst growing hopelessness.’ They discussed how most youth are talented and desire to do a lot of good but often become cynical, perceiving negativity everywhere. Yet, there were signs of hope: ordinary youth coming together and making a significant difference!

One big question is, ‘What is at the heart of these good turns?’ Stirring the spirit in young people is mainly the Lord’s work, but bystanders can tend to the flame and foster it. Before that campus gathering, a few of us had met several times to prepare the background. We worked with one plan: spotting a few young people, grooming them into people with vision, and helping them take responsibility for other youth.

Those who stand up and take responsibility

Look at the youth culture around us! Signs of degeneration are abundant. Aimless living, violence, drug abuse, chasing after fashion or partying, and turning away from spirituality, among numerous other indications, leave many elders quite upset about today’s youth.  One cliché response I often hear is, ‘We have to pray a lot for today’s youth. ' If that means ‘we must persuade the Lord to do something for youth’ because we have other things to attend to, then it is a very shallow spirituality. We need a group of youth and others who will hear the call of the Lord, stand up, and take responsibility for other young people. 

Pope Francis expresses it beautifully: “The love of God and our relationship with the living Christ do not hold us back from dreaming; they do not require us to narrow our horizons. On the contrary, that love elevates us, encourages us, and inspires us to pursue a better and more beautiful life. Much of the longing present in the hearts of young people can be summed up in the word’ restlessness. ‘Restless discontent, combined with exhilaration at the opening of new horizons, generates a boldness that compels us to stand up and take responsibility for a mission. This healthy restlessness, typical of youth, continues to dwell in every heart that remains young, open, and generous.” (Christus Vivit, 138)

One beautiful aspect of the Jesus Youth movement is that within it, you encounter numerous individuals who possess a positive restlessness and a desire to create meaningful change in the lives of others. Thomas and several other friends have made a special commitment to fast and pray every Friday so that the youth in their parish will transform their ways. Simi, deeply concerned about adolescents, approached me with her friends and their ambitious plans. They aimed to gather teenagers in various locations and provide engaging options for them to continue growing in groups. Joseph and his team were exploring multiple ideas and proposals to utilize music to impact the lives of young people. Observing a long procession of these young missionaries, I resonate with the passion behind St. Paul's words: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Gal 4:19).

Cultivating this positive ‘restlessness’

When Sab had his encounter and joined the group, he discovered a new world that, in many ways, felt like a dream come true. Many enthusiastic young people were reaching out to others in creative ways. He was very excited. However, based on my experience with youthful enthusiasm, this was merely stage one. As time passed, circumstances changed. Gradually, he faced difficulties working with certain group members. “Some of them are crazy. “Moreover, some of the approaches that had been effective in the beginning were no longer yielding results. I recognized this as stage two. 

One positive aspect of this period of change and personal crisis was that Sab did not simply abandon everything and disappear. Instead, he sought a quiet conversation. We were able to reassess the entire situation. Sab recognized that not everything was lost; rather, this was merely an inevitable transformation. It was necessary to rely more on the Lord and learn to accept difficult people and circumstances as they were. By the end of our brief discussion, he felt at peace. This marked a positive stage three. 

In an increasingly dark and confusing world, the most important development is the emergence of enthusiastic youth eager to create positive change in the lives of others, particularly those in need. However, we must remember that these missionaries will also require support to deepen their mission and grow into remarkable individuals.