Readings:
John 17:11-19
Reflection:
For those who don’t know me so well, I run the Passionist Youth Retreat Team and I often feel that I get looked down upon for my age within my work. It seems that people feel I may be under-experienced or perhaps someone else older may be better at the work I do.
Perhaps it is just my perception at times but it is still something I feel I must contend with.
In my discussions with other young people, I often hear them saying similar things, so it is not a phenomenon that I face alone. In some cases, I am sure, it is simply a perception we have about ourselves. The reading for today reminds me of this issue that we as young people face. Often, we feel that we lack the experience to add value to the world around us and that we constantly need to outwit those around us to bring value.
“I am a warrior, so that my son may be a merchant, so that his son may be a poet” is a line from John Quincey Adams that gives me as a young person purpose within this reading. It is our duty to help carry out these laws so that our communities may better show love to each other in future generations. Jesus’ message of love and adherence is a powerful yet lengthy message that young people will have to pass on down the line, just as our parents did and just as we will for our children. As always, Jesus says something so simple yet so tough.
Thomas Warren.