“You are the ‘now’ of God.” This theme introduces Chapter Three of Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. You can access the full document on this link at the Vatican site.
A common meme in the 80s and 90s was to hear this notion preached to young people: You are the future of the Church. I heard that idea rejected, especially in the light of the expected exodus from church life. Maybe when people didn’t return in great numbers, those who generated the concept tamped it down somewhat. Youth ministers I knew bristled when they heard it. They knew that we needed young people “now.”
64. After this brief look at the word of God, we cannot just say that young people are the future of our world. They are its present; even now, they are helping to enrich it. Young people are no longer children. They are at a time of life when they begin to assume a number of responsibilities, sharing alongside adults in the growth of the family, society and the Church. Yet the times are changing, leading us to ask: What are today’s young people really like? What is going on in their lives?
Good questions at the end of this introductory paragraph. Have any of your own?
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Yes, what are the young people really like?
I read today about a beach day for youth at our parish which would include certain fun activities as well as a rosary reciting walk on the beach, adoration and confession.
Am I the only one that thinks the devotional aspect is over the top?
Nope.