more musings

We all (those of us who've been for it anyway) know that the Youth in the Spirit Seminar is a life changing event which brings people face to face with God. But I've been wondering lately: How do we inculcate in young people a passion for God, even before they attend camps of such nature?

I'm not talking about youth who are already active in Church, but rather, those who after confirmation simply lapse into a state of routine and become the stereotypical 'Sunday Catholic' (I myself was a perfect example). The answer I've come to lies in catechesis. A lot of times we see teens going for catechism

1.) Because they have no choice,
2.) Because they can meet up with friends.

And it pains me to say this but in some parishes, teens just don't learn anything during Sunday classes. Not to say anything about the teachers, nor the system in play. I feel that this stems more as a result of well, being a teenager -- God simply isn't relevant. Oh He does exist alright, but He's somewhere up there in the heavens while we're here on Earth. If we do good in our lives then someday we'll join Him, after we die. And if not, we face punishment. God is otherwise pretty much an impersonal God. So why bother to learn about Him?

In creating a desire to know God in youth, there are certain fundamental things which we need to be frank and honest about. We need to get them to throw away all the textbook answers drilled into them over the years and be truthful and their opinions on these questions (in the same order):

1.) Do you believe that there is a God?
2.) Do you believe that this God is good?
3.) Do of you believe that this God cares for and loves us deeply?
4.) Do you believe that this God works ACTIVELY in our lives, even now as we speak?
5.) Do you believe that this God who loves us is relevant in ALL areas of our lives?

I feel that these are the questions that, if not given due awareness, eventually pose as stumbling blocks in the quest for God. All too often, these are the questions which are overlooked precisely because it is taken for granted that people know, and more importantly believe in, the answer. If we can show that the answer to these these questions, in the same order, is a strong and resounding 'YES!', then well, the next question I can foresee is quite simply,

"Can't we get down to learning about this God already? Hurry up and tell us more about Him!"

precisely because God is relevant. And if God is just as, and if not moreso because He is Lord over, relavant as issues pertaining to my daily life and struggles, it just wouldn't make sense to not learn about Him. This is a somewhat warped analogy, but if you had the answer to all the problems in your life folded up in a piece of paper, would you choose to not open it up and read it?

God is the answer. 

P.S.: If any of you reading this has any other ideas and opinions, please do feel free to share them... :)