[Written for my parish bulletin]
Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel may be tough to digest, “no one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” Some may get discouraged by these words, but many, especially many young people today, see it as a challenge they are willing to accept.
I believe many young people today are looking for a challenge in life. They do not want to live in lukewarm and complacent sterility. The youth want direction and challenge that make their lives worth living. Jesus himself presents a challenge to modern society that many youth are ready to accept.
There is no need to water down our faith into a lukewarm and complacent blob, but rather, many young people are attracted to concrete and organized things. Unfortunately this attraction to order and challenge can lead young people to radical or hurtful organizations that are contrary to the Gospel, to themselves and the good of society.
Suicide rates among the youth have increased in the past years. If a young person has nothing to live for, he or she quickly despairs. The young must find in their faith the challenge they need to look forward to the future with joy, excitement and hope. If not they will sit back and wonder if life is even worth living and cause a tragedy.
Christ is our hope. Christ is the hope of the young. Without Christ the future is bleak, but with Him, there are endless possibilities.
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