I Am Responsible

A friend of mine is a recovering alcoholic. He tells me that on the wall of many AA meeting rooms hangs a statement. It reads:

I am Responsible.

When anyone, anywhere

Reaches out for help,

I want the hand of AA to be there.

And for that: I am responsible.

Like many aspects of the 12-step program, this simple statement holds profound truth and power. It recognizes that I am my brother’s keeper. It proclaims that God, in the face of the skeptic’s scoffing, did do something about the world’s suffering. God created you and me. Put simply, it accepts responsibility.

There’s a lot of analysis out there about the current state of affairs of the Church. Pew Research Center, the Gallup Poll, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), have all placed empirical numbers behind the commonplace hunch that in the desacralizing face of postmodernism the Church’s efforts to evangelize (it’s fundamental raison d’etre) aren’t going very well.

Let me state as an emphatic caveat that I am both indebted to and grateful for the rise of religious research and the contributions this body of literature makes to the proclamation of the gospel. I am both a researcher and a student of research. I love the stuff. I’m fully onboard. Yet I fear that for many, and I can say this of myself even, this bourgeoning corpus of statistics isn’t bringing us any closer to addressing the problem. We can slice and dice the data but it doesn’t mean we’re doing anything about it. The overabundance of analysis brings more paralysis than apostolic action.

Pope Francis warns against an unhealthy Church “clinging to its security” and getting “caught up in a web of procedures.”[1] I wonder if he might say that same thing about all our impressive statistics. While we’re “in here” crunching all our numbers and arguing about interpretations, there are millions “out there” dying on the streets and losing hope in the dignity of life. “If something should rightly disturb and trouble our consciences,” Pope Francis exhorts, “it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life.”[2]

Perhaps an AA meeting might do us all good. What if every Christian, everywhere would accept responsibility for his brothers and sisters, those people in their daily sphere of influence who are quietly drifting, who are silently suffering, who need someone to talk to? What if on the wall of every Christian home hung a sign that said:

I am responsible.

When anyone, anywhere

Reaches out for help

I want the hand of Chris’s body to be there.

And for that: I am responsible.

It is much easier to pontificate over numbers than it is to pick up the phone, hop in the car, physically GO to where real people are, and engage “the other” in the name of Jesus. Yet we must call. We must go. We must embrace and love and forgive and comfort and challenge. We must, in the final analysis, take responsibility.

I believe God is calling every one of us. No one is exempt. No one is forgotten. And I can do no better than Bohemian-Austrian novelist Rainer Maria Rilke who wrote this haunting poem entitled “Go to the Limits of your Longing”:

God speaks to each of us as he makes us,

Then walks with us silently out of the night.

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall

Go to the limits of your longing.

Embody me.

Flare up like flame

And make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.

Just keep going.

No feeling is final.

Don’t let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life.

You will know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand.

 If you're ready to be responsible, so am I. Give me your hand. We'll do this together.

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[1] Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), 49.

[2] Ibid.

Playing With Children, Dancing With God

I played with the children this morning. We ran around the trampoline. We hit whiffle balls with golf clubs. We wrote on the driveway with chalk. When they got cranky we had a snack. My youngest son took a nap. My three and six year old played with water on the deck. Now they’re in the tree fort.

When given the space, children do things that we don’t naturally do. They march in circles. They sing. They pick dandelions in the yard. They throw those helicopters into the air, ya know the ones that fall from trees? They imagine that they’re in a boat, even if they’re just sitting in the grass.

They fight sometimes. But they generally know right from wrong. When I asked Addie why Jackson was upset with her, she said it was because she had three fish and he only had one. I asked her what would happen if she gave one fish to Jackson. She said that they both would have two. I asked if that was fair. She got a big smile on her face and ran out onto the deck and gave Jackson one fish. 

Jesus was constantly trying to tell everyone to be like children. Children seem to have a knack for showing us the face of God. But we’re often too busy, too sophisticated, or too important to see Him. Children don’t know the difference between transubstantiation and consubstantiation but they know what love is. They might be mad at you for at 7:00 when you tell them they can’t have candy for breakfast, but they forgive you by 7:15 when you get down on the floor and roll around with them like, well, a child.

I read a poem this morning that reminded me of being a child. It was written by a little boy who had a terrible disease and didn’t live very long. But he could “see” better than most of the adults I know. It’s called “Angel-Wings”:

This morning, I smelled something very good.

Perhaps, it was a rainbow.

Or maybe, it was a dinosaur smile.

Or even, a seashell.

I am not sure what I smelled.

And I am not sure what rainbows

Or dinosaur smiles

Or seashells

Smell like.

But I’m sure they smell wonderful.

Wonderful and special

Like the smell of Angel-Wings.

But also,

I’m sure they smell a little sad,

Because we can’t really smell a rainbow,

Or a dinosaur smile,

Or a seashell,

Or especially,

We can’t really smell

The wonderful smell

Of Angel-Wings.[1]

My children are playing. They are beckoning me to see, to hear, to feel, to taste, and yes, to smell the wonderful presence of God. Lord, let me say yes. Let me say yes to the glorious invitation that you give us in children.

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[1] Mattie Stepanek lived only thirteen years, suffering from a rare form of muscular dystrophy. In that time he published five best-selling volumes of poetry, penned peacemaking essays that influenced international leaders, and wrote the lyrics for an award-winning country album. See Mattie J. T. Stepanek, Heartsongs (NY: VSP Books, 2001), 9.

Young Life and Catholic Diocese Sign Historic Missional Agreement

This week marks an exciting new chapter in the relationship between Young Life and the Catholic Church. On Tuesday, the Most Reverend Daniel Flores, bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas signed a collaborative agreement with Young Life to “Reach a World of Kids” together – introducing teens to Jesus Christ, helping them grow in their faith, and guiding them back to their respective faith communities. This groundbreaking event represents the first time in history that a Catholic diocese and Young Life have formally united to share in the great call to reach “every kid, everywhere” together with the gospel.

In his address to the assembly of diocesan priests (numbering nearly 100), Bishop Flores noted, “We’re breaking some ground that hasn’t been broken in the relationship between the Catholic Church and Young Life. I’m very grateful that the Lord has given us this chance to move forward.” His comments were received warmly by a presbyterate grounded in a long legacy of missionary zeal.  

While the bishop acknowledged the significance of the signed agreement, his remarks made it clear that the enduring merits of this relationship will flow from its ability to impact the lives of kids. “There are a great number of young people in our diocese that may have a vague sense of faith, but are yet unconnected,” Bishop Flores explained. “These kids are vulnerable.”

The bishop then challenged his priests, with the warmth and collegiality of the Good Shepherd, to take on the mantle of their missionary call. He continued:

We as a diocese need to be more proactive in attending to the great number of young people who are unconnected to anything. This is the great challenge here. They are lost. They need to hear that there’s somebody to help them get connected to the Lord and to the Church.

“That’s why I think this relationship [with Young Life] is so important,” Bishop Flores reflected. “Young Life is an organization that has a long history in the United States, announcing the kerygma and, through a process of friendship and accompaniment, getting teens connected back to their faith tradition.” A vision was cast of the hand-and-glove relationship between Young Life and the Catholic Church, each contributing something essential, yet working together as one body in Christ.

The Diocese of Brownsville recognized Young Life’s unique position to reach lost teenagers, those who are disconnected from and disinterested in church. But what happens after the faith of those teens is rekindled? Where do they go from there? Bishop Flores noted, “We can’t just say to kids, ‘The Catholic parish is over there, so go,’ because they may go and they may knock on the door but they may not get a very welcome reception." He went on to stress the need for Catholic leaders working in the mission of Young Life to serve as bridges back to the Church. "As the Holy Father insists, and this is just the Gospel, ‘Evangelization happens when you know somebody who can receive and welcome you, and then accompany you as you become integrated into the faith community.’”

I’m immensely grateful for the ecumenical acumen and personal friendship of Bishop Flores and his diocesan staff. Their pioneering spirit and missionary tenacity corresponds to the primary focus of Pope Francis as he leads the Catholic Church to “get involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives; bridge distances, and touch the suffering flesh of Christ in others.”[1]

This is the call of the new evangelization. Today begins a new era for Young Life and the Catholic Church to embrace this sacred call together.

Pete Johnson (left), Regional Director for Young Life's Lone Star Region

Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores (center), Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, TX

Michael Havercamp (right), YL National Liaison to the Catholic Church

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[1] Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), 24.

Risen Life

"Arise, shine; for they light is come,

and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."

Isaiah 60:1

The Call comes on this My Day for all who love Me, to arise from earth-bands, from sin, and sloth and depression, distrust, fear, all that hinders the Risen Life. To arise to Beauty, to Holiness, to Joy, to Peace, to work inspired by Love and Joy, to rise from death to Life.

Remember that death was the last enemy I destroyed. So with death My Victory was complete. You have nothing then to fear. Sin, too, is conquered and forgiven, as you live and move and work with Me. All that depresses you, all that you fear, are powerless to harm you. They are but phantoms. The real forces I conquered in the wilderness, the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Cross, in the Tomb.

Let nothing hinder your Risen Life. “Risen with Christ,” said my servant Paul. Seek to know more and more of that Risen Life. That is the Life of Conquest. Of that Risen Life was it truly said: “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Fear and despair and tears come as you stand by the empty Tomb. “They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

Rise from your fears and go out into the sunlight to meet Me, your Risen Lord.[1]

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[1] This beautiful reflection was discerned by “two listeners” in England in the early 1930s. See A. J. Russell (ed), God Calling (Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing, 1998).

My Experience of Young Life Camp As a Catholic Adult Guest

This guest post was written by Hugo de la Rosa, a Catholic teacher and campus minister in the diocese of Brownsville, TX. Hugo and a delegation of other Catholic leaders from S. Texas, participated at a special YL-Catholic Adult Guest Program at Camp Buckner in February.

Twelve brave souls made a pilgrimage from the Diocese of Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley (very bottom of South Texas) to Camp Buckner over Valentine’s Day weekend. We were invited at the request of Michael Havercamp and Bishop Daniel Flores, head of the over 1,000,000 Catholics who live in our area. Our goal was to experience a Young Life weekend camp as adult Catholic guests.

I’d never heard of Young Life before this invitation, so I was entering the experience with no preconceived notions of what to expect. We had the pleasure of meeting with Michael the morning of the weekend, and I drove over to the Camp with him; these were my initial impressions after those two conversations:

• Young Life’s stated mission is to intentionally & passionately reach kids at the margins – the unchurched, the ones who do not have an active connection to Jesus and his church (in whatever denominational flavor that happens to be; Young Life is non-sectarian and not focused on any one Christian tradition)
• This initiative to reach out to the Catholic Church goes hand in hand with Pope Francis’ desire for a new evangelization, using methods and steps that may be new, risky and messy; doing everything in a “missionary key,” going beyond the confines of what is safe and comfortable, reaching out to kids where they’re at
• It aims to tie kids back into their own faith traditions, or, as sometimes happens, have kids join the faith tradition of their adult leaders if no connection to another faith tradition exists
• The basic message of the Gospel is delivered in engaging, age-appropriate ways to help foster a response that ultimately leads the child to a relationship with Christ and his Church
• Young Life aims to bring young people to Christ through attraction, and only later will they receive appropriate catechetical / liturgical formation in their own faith traditions
• They aim to foster one on one relationship between adults (college age and up) and kids (middle school / high school / college)
• This relationship is fostered through one on one meetings, small group meetings, and weekly/monthly Club meetings
• Adult leaders will spend at least 4-6 hours each week with direct contact to their kids (visiting schools at lunch, attending extra-curricular activities, etc.)
• This investment of time and attention gives the adult leader the “right to be heard” in the child’s life – eventually leading to conversion experiences at weekend or week long camps (such as the one taking place this weekend)
• The Catholic Church, while being very good at sacramental and catechetical instruction, sometimes lacks in helping to foster a prayerful, direct relationship with Christ
• A partnership with Young Life can help bridge that gap
• Because much of Young Life is led by evangelical / non-denominational adults, having a Catholic presence (i.e. developing Catholic Young Life leaders) is crucial to leading Catholic students back to their parishes

The rest of the weekend bore out those initial impressions. I saw staff greeting teens with enthusiasm and genuine care, using music, costumes/personalities & humor to create an engaging and non-threatening environment for the campers. I saw leaders gathering together to plan and pray, intentionally choosing their teenage friends to be part of activities that would help bolster their self-esteem and bring them closer to God. I saw a definite Young Life culture that leaders and participants shared, bridging generational, cultural, denominational and economic differences.

At Club I saw youth and adults who were joyous and joyful. The music, games and antics started at a fast pace, eventually moving towards a short message that introduced elements of the Gospel to the gathered crowd. I then saw youth being led by their mentors for some reflection time. And then, most powerfully of all, I saw youth and adults spending free time together, playing games, and simply talking one on one or in small groups.

It strikes me that this goes to the heart of Catholic social teaching – leaders were engaging with these adolescents not as a ploy to “get them to church,” but because of their inherent worth and dignity as people lovingly hand-crafted by their Creator. Even if the gathered young people never grace the hallowed halls of a church building, they will have experienced the love of God through the love of their adult leader. While the end-game is eventual Church membership and church service / activity, even if that doesn’t happen we have still loved and served them as Jesus loves and serves us.

The specific charism of Young Life – reaching out to disenfranchised youth with no other purpose then to love them as they are; the no-pressure environment, the pre-evangelistic nature of it; the acceptance of meeting them where they’re at, going to their schools, going to their games, getting to know them; investing the time to “earn the right to be heard” (a phrase that I love!) – it sounds so very . . .Jesusy to me. J

I think that all of us came out of the experience with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the ministry that Young Life leaders are exercising all over the country. I came back humbled by the willingness of the staff and leaders to share with us as Catholic adults. I came back personally challenged to incorporate the culture of Young Life into my own ministry as a teacher and campus minister at a PK-8^th grade Catholic school. I came back energized and excited at the prospect of partnering with such a vibrant and obviously Christ-centered community.

I think that a partnership between Young Life and the Catholic Church (specifically in my area, but all over the country as well) has the potential to be life changing for both adults involved in ministry and the kids that are ministered to, and I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to be a small part of making that a reality.

Remembering

How great is my God,

and how I love to sing His praises!

Whereas I am often frightened

when I think about the future,

and confused and disturbed

by the rapidly changing events about me,

my heart is securred and made glad

when I remember how He has cared for me

throughout the past.

When I was brought forth from my mother’s womb,

God’s hand was upon me.

Through parents and people who cared,

He loved and sheltered me

and set me upon His course for my life.

Through illness and accident

my God has sustained me.

When I became rebellious

and struck out on my own,

He waited patiently for me to return.

When I fell on my face in weakness and failure,

He gently set me upon my feet again.

He did not always prevent me from hurting myself,

but He took me back to heal my wounds.

Even out of the broken pieces of my defeats

He created a vessel of beauty and usefulness.

Through trials and errors, failures and successes,

my God has cared for me.

From infancy to adulthood

He has never let me go.

His love has led me – or followed me –

through the valleys of sorrow

and the highlands of joy,

through times of want

and years of abundance.

He has bridged impassable rivers

and moved impossible mountains.

Sometimes through me,

sometimes in spite of me,

He seeks to accomplish His purpose in my life.

He has kept me through the stormy past;

He will secure and guide me

through the perilous future.

I need never be afraid,

no matter how uncertain

the months or years ahead of me.

How great is my God,

and how I love to sing His praises![1]

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[1] A contemporary interpretation of Psalm 105; Leslie F. Brandt, Psalms/Now (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1973), 166-67.