PRAYING FOR OUR YOUTH

by Linda Olsen

PRAYING FOR OUR YOUTH

“I’d rather not go.”    That was my son’s response when I invited him to join me at the St. Martha 5:30 Mass while he was home on college spring break.

We need only look around the church to see that I’m not the only parent whose older children, despite being raised with Christian values and attending years of Faith Formation classes, aren’t regularly in the pews. A survey published in 2022 found that only 17% of young adults attended weekly Mass. As our young people explore their beliefs and learn to navigate life in the midst of social-media and peer influences, mental health struggles, and the violence and political discord of the world, it can be a challenge for them to understand how current life decisions, like not going to church or disobeying God’s commandments, might impact them now and in the future.   “Life everlasting” can be a vague concept to understand and embrace.

As a child, I was somewhat afraid of the Almighty God, and feared His wrath if I dared miss Mass. I was relieved when Vatican II came to town and I could embrace a ‘kinder and gentler’ Jesus approach to faith, one that accentuated the great mercy of our Lord. But despite His mercy, God wants us to live a life pleasing to Him. He provided the Ten Commandments as rules of behavior for spiritual and moral living. Jesus tells us: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love” (John 15:10). The 3^rd Commandment tells us to keep holy the Lord’s Day (Exodus 20:8) and attending Mass is the most important way to do just that.

Mass is an opportunity to worship and give thanks to the God who created and saves us. It is a gift which allows us to be in community with Him and others of faith. At Mass we hear God’s Word and listen as the clergy help us apply the readings to our daily life. The greatest gift at Mass is the priviledge to participate in the Eucharist. As a child, I never really “got” that the Eucharist is actually Christ. Sure, I had memorized that concept from the Baltimore Catechism, but I didn’t truly appreciate that hidden within the somewhat tasteless communion wafer is the real presence of Jesus Christ, in His divinity and humanity. The Eucharist is the route to salvation. “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day” (John 6:54).

We receive life-sustaining spiritual nourishment and become more fully alive each time we receive the Eucharist. “…It is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). As we partake of Christ in Holy Communion, our union with God is strengthened and, as an added grace, we are cleansed from our smaller venial sins (ccc 1394). It’s like a mini Reconciliation! The miracle of the Eucharist should make each of us rush to Mass weekly (or even daily!). When I might be inclined to miss a Mass, I remember the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ’s apostles didn’t spend even one hour praying with Him before he was led to the cross to die for us. Can’t I spare an hour each week for the Lord and Savior of our world?

As part of our collaborative’s Confirmation Prayer Partner program, I have been praying for teens that are being confirmed. I ask God to help these young people recognize Christ’s love and to seek His guiding presence throughout their lives. Our youth, like all of us, will face highs and lows, droughts, and storms. Armed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation, they can face life’s challenges with confidence that God will provide the support needed to weather it all. Just like my son, who goes to the gym regularly to achieve physical results, we must put regular effort into building our relationship with God. It’s hard to be in relationship with someone if we aren’t in their presence, so going to Mass is essential for keeping God’s Spirit front and center in our lives.

I was delighted that my children were beside me at Mass on Mother’s Day; I want nothing less than for them to follow a faith journey with God as their compass. As a parent, I must continue to lead by example and not cease to pray that our church pews be filled with young adults, and peoples of all ages. Through worship, thanksgiving and receiving the ‘supernatural soul food’ of the Holy Eucharist each week, we can all receive the graces and strength needed to prevail with Christ in all things.