Let no one despise your youth but set an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity.
- 1 Timothy 4: 1-2
This generation of youth and their conduct have posed to be a source of worry for many of the older generations. As much as the world is advancing, one cannot really see the benefit on the youth of our time, most of them are losing value for life. The measure of Character, which is key to the value of a person’s personality and prosperity is fast been eroded.
Psychologists may say this is the impact of the ecosystem in which they find themselves. The harsh economy versus bad governments and insensitive leaders can be said to be the result of the insensitivity we see in our youth today. The environment is so harsh, our children no longer have their life as youth all they do is work, work and work. Leisure is barely experienced. The tired youth feels deprived and the word “Depression” is the song of the season. This word did not exist in the dictionary of the olden days African youth.
In the past, it was fun to be in your 20s. You graduate from school and had an uncle to fix you up for a vacation job or get you a job, which you enjoy doing, and your time was respected. You close from work and had time to mingle to mingle with your peers. The reverse is the case now. You graduate and are not sure of a job, even where the job is available the pay is just enough to transport you to and from work.
You are used like a slave at work by an employer who feels you should be happy you have a job. You rarely have time for a good night sleep because you get home so late either because of traffic or lack of transportation. At times, you may have to wait for cheaper transport or a ride with a colleague, which could cause you to leave work later than normal, all because your salary is unable to take you home.
To you Youth, I say you have to rather stand strong rather than become insensitive. Romans 15: 13 says, “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope in Christ strengthens us during travails. You have to continue to be of good conduct, developing and maintaining excellent character traits that become your brand, prosper your personality and then, you succeed despite all odds of life.
Let me share with you a content of a religious programme I watched recently. The theme of the programme was based on how to protect yourself under the role of a manipulative leader.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule the people groan. -Proverb 29: 2
The speaker highlighted the following:
i. Self-Protection: Here she quoted the book of Psalms. 40: 4 says,” Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”
The tendency to follow any form of religion that preaches prosperity will be for one who is not disciplined or strong in faith. You may become easily vulnerable, be alert, stay awake and protect yourself.
Sunday is not a day of rest. It is a day of worship especially among true Christ followers. The Word is present and the Eucharist is yours for take. Never miss a Mass. Rest could be taken after Mass. You close from work Let God come first in your options.
ii. Put your trust in God for He has a purpose for your life. Be diligent in all you do and be patient, trusting in God's promise as stated in Jeremiah 29: 11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Life may not seem meaningful now but when you trust in your maker, one who gave up His son that you may have life, life in abundance, then hope for a better future; one that is nearer than you may know.
As we celebrate the feast of Christ our King, I say trust in God the Almighty, the great hope for life, our sustainer and you will rise again and shine in the light of Christ. You will win as we all are winners in Christ.
I have been thinking a great deal about my experience at Reconciliation this past Saturday. I felt an intense and unexplainable urge to go and confess my sins when I woke up that morning. I try to go every six weeks or so, but this was no routine visit to the priest for me. I needed to unburden myself of the numerous venial sins I had committed since I last participated in this Sacrament.
Purest Gold: God's Refining Fire in our Lives »
After salvation, many young Christians wonder if there's anything more to their newfound faith than just the security blanket of "being a Christian." Time and time again, God shows himself as a "refiner," and our lives are as gold. God started leading me in this study to understand what He was doing in my life, as well as in the lives of others.
Picking up my pen to write this column, I couldn’t imagine how time flies. Since the last publication of this column I have gone through a lot, especially the loss of my dear mother to whom I dedicate this article. Not only her, but seems I lost a whole generation of my close family.
How to Achieve Business Excellence »
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before Kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29
Spiritual Development for our Youth »
Most of us youth in today's fast moving world are easily thrown off by difficulties and worries.
The theme of conversion is a thread that runs all through Lent, but conversion takes on different aspects throughout the phases of Lent. The first two and a half weeks focused on the interior turning of hearts; the liturgy urges the faithful to reflect and examine consciences thoroughly.
Saint Josephine Bakhita »
Feast Day: February 8
Patron Saint Of: Sudan
Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering.
Catholics Must Fast More Intensely This Lent»
The Norbertine Canons of St. Michael's Abbey have created this digital Lenten retreat so that you can journey through this holy season alongside them. If you want to have one of your best Lenten seasons yet, join us in our Lenten Program "The Great Fast" - https://theabbotscircle.com/the-great-fast-join
When Your Faith Is Put to the Test - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon»
Friends, we come now to the Second Sunday of Lent, and we’re on both dangerous and very holy ground with the first reading from the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. The ancient Israelites referred to it as the “Akedah,” which means the “binding”: Abraham binds and is ready to sacrifice Isaac at God’s command.
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