Reading I: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Reading II: Hebrews 5:1-6
GOSPEL: Mark 10:46-52
The Church of TODAY!
It’s no secret that one of the big priorities of St. John Paul II’s papacy was the youth of our church. Thanks to his vision, we recognize the youth not as the “church of tomorrow,” but as the “church of right now.” But as the saying goes, everything old is new again － Jesus had similar ideas about the young people in his own time. And hundreds of years before Jesus’ time on earth, God was calling on the youth to lead.
Jeremiah: Just Another Misunderstood Teenager
The first reading this Sunday is from Jeremiah, who was called by God to be a prophet at a very young age. In fact, Jeremiah was so young that he doubted his own ability to carry God’s message. But God knew that Jeremiah would be able to carry the message. Although what Jeremiah said was often unpopular, today’s reading offers us comfort, for he speaks of God reuniting His people and bringing them home.
As young people today, it can seem difficult to play the role of the prophet. You may think that your words aren’t valued in your parish － you may be afraid to speak out for what you believe is right － but your words and opinions ARE valuable because you are the Church of TODAY!
God wouldn’t have called Jeremiah as a young person if God thought other young people wouldn’t be able to do it too.
Sometimes the Blind See Better
In the gospel, we find the story of another youth of great faith. Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus) was blind and stuck on the side of the road. For most of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, a young blind man would be a waste of their time. But that wasn’t the case for Jesus.
Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus even though everyone around considered him an embarrassment and tried to silence him. But Jesus called for Bartimaeus to come to him. All Bartimaeus really wanted was to be able to see, and Jesus healed him. As Jesus said, “your faith has saved you.” Interestingly, it was this young blind man, more so than anyone else in the crowd, who could see Jesus for who he really was!
And that is exactly why the youth are the church of TODAY and not just the church of the future. You have a unique perspective. You are needed and wanted! You are a member of the Body of Christ! So stand up and celebrate with the rest of the church of Today－ your friends, parents, grandparents, and everyone else in the pews with you－ because we are all part of the church of TODAY!
Life Applications:
How do you stand up for something that is unpopular?
How do you fit in with your parish? How would you like to fit in with your parish?
How can you help others to fit in?
Copyright 2006-2018 by Jacki Popadich
All rights reserved.