The Identity of the Youth

The Identity of the Youth 

Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, OP

The youth of today are searching for their identity. They are searching for the meaning of life and ultimately their purpose. They are called to act, but they still need to be guided and formed. Though aware that they lack critical thinking and decision-making skills that usually make them hesitant to commit, they do not see themselves as the future, but as the present of the Church, the world, and the society. Indeed, they are the present, gifts that are life-given to the Church, who endeavor to be truly life-giving. “It is important to realize that Jesus was a young person [too]. He gave His life when He was, in today’s terms, a young adult.” Our Lord is the Word who became flesh and walked among us (cf. Jn 1:14). He was formed by the loving presence of Mary and Joseph "and grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Lk 2:52). He even gave His life for us (cf. Mt 27:50) as a young adult. 

As Christians, we are to heed the Lord's call to total self-giving. Answering God's call starts in our youth and we should not delay until we are old. The youth of today are invited to offer that same sacrificial love. We find our identity in Jesus Christ who is Love. To be transformed in Christ is the source of the youthfulness of the Church: “Let us also ask [Jesus] to free [the Church] from another temptation: that of thinking she is young because she accepts everything the world offers her, thinking that she is renewed because she sets her message aside and acts like everybody else. No! The Church is young when she is herself, when she receives ever anew the strength born of God’s word, the Eucharist, and the daily presence of Christ and the power of His Spirit in our lives. The Church is young when she shows herself capable of constantly returning to her source.” 

The young ones, and the older ones who are "young once", can never graduate from learning and loving. The Eucharist is the source of love in which we are renewed in strength to face the world joyfully amidst the changing times. His Holiness Pope Francis also challenges the youth to enthusiastically act and live life to the fullest: "Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth. Don't observe life from a balcony. Don't confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen. Whatever you do, do not become the sorry sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don't be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions. Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don't go through life anaesthetized. Live! Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of the cage, go out and fly! Please, don't take early retirement." When we live a sedentary life, we are not just missing the opportunity but we may be gravely neglecting the gifts that God has endowed upon us. Onlookers who remain in their comfort zone are wasting their productive and grace-filled time. Get involved. Let not wrong decisions, anxiety and tribulations deter us from hoping. "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity"(1 Tm 4:12). 

We can never get tired of loving if we offer our lives to God who is Love. Such encouragement for young persons is indeed needed in our time. In his message to the young people before the Synod of Bishops on the Youth (2018), His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, DD said: “[The youth] are giving the Church new life, new vision. I―in the name of the many bishops and priests, and the parents, the grandparents, and the many people who care for you―want to assure you [that] your dreams are our dreams, your joys are our joys, your pains are our pains, your frustrations are our frustrations… and we hope we could walk together. We extend our hand to you. Take our hand as you take your hands into our hands and together we walk for a better humanity, for a better world, for a better future, for a better church. Please pray for us as we pray for you.”