June 12, 2009

Oyaya

Who are you?

Wait: I didn’t ask, “What do you do for a living?” It’s a simple question, so try it again: Who . . . are . . . YOU?

While in Indianapolis last weekend, I saw the musical “Wicked” with a few of my closest friends. Two of them were adult leaders for the youth ministry program I began here in the diocese many years ago. I love them both dearly, and my life would be far less without Missy and Fred in it. As we experienced the musical together, I was struck by two songs.

The refrain of “For Good” speaks of the profound effect our friends have upon our lives: “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” The song ends with the admission, “I do believe it was for the better,” and I certainly believe this of my friendships as well. My friends have changed me, for the better, and I am not the same person I was before them. Yet if not for our common Catholic faith we would never have met.

In “A Sentimental Man,” the Wizard sings, “I am a sentimental man, who always longed to be a father. That’s why I do the best I can, to treat each citizen of Oz as sons or daughters.” As a single man without children, this line impacted me; I realize that this plays a huge role in why I am where I am today.

See, I hope the question with which I began this article was not easy for you to answer. In fact, if it was, you probably have the wrong answer.

Much goes into who we are, and, whether we fully realize this or not, we are always being changed by those with whom we share our lives. Presenters at conferences who pose questions, friends with whom we share profound experiences, the way we deal with lives that turn out far differently than we expected: such situations all affect who we are, and the answer is never easy — if we seriously engage it.

Me? Oh, “I’m just a sentimental man, who always longed to be a father,” and my closest friendships have changed me for the better . . . and for good. That’s why I am who I am, and who I am took on a whole new meaning in March 1989 when my relationship with Jesus became real.

Whether through diocesan events, retreats, pilgrimages or one of the youth and young adult movements like Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), Source & Summit, Communion and Liberation, or Catholic Scouting, the focus of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is simple: We exist to support those who lead the young Church to Jesus Christ, to help them grow as disciples, to cultivate their God-given gifts, and to prepare them to live their whole life for Jesus Christ.