Youthful and Zealous: The Challenges of Forming Young Lives (BJRE101)
Youthful and Zealous: The Challenges of Forming Young Lives Sister Marietta called me. She plans to take a group of young people from the parish to a popular retreat center and seeks my support. I'm in a dilemma. Most of the youth in our parish are struggling, and Sister has spent years trying different approaches to help them. Now she hopes an experience at the retreat center will change their attitudes. I don't want to disappoint her or say there are no quick fixes for this big challenge. My silence, of course, will encourage her to move forward. But do I have a clear answer? I've seen young people — even those from very tough circumstances — come alive, grow, and take on leadership roles, shining hope to those around them. I notice some vague patterns. However, I won't claim to have a definite solution to today's youth challenges. The farmer who knows not how Jesus' growth parables are full of insight. In Mark 4:26 and the following verses, I discover import...