Say not, "I am too young!"

Thank you for all your prayers... yesterday's Junior High Retreat was amazing! It was a great collaboration with our Youth Ministry. Big ups to Nellie & Matthew, two of our Youth Ministers, for helping us organize and staff the retreat! (Special thanks to Matthew for his impromptu talk!) The morning began with a bit of a surprise, and we had to completely throw out the agenda we had planned and roll with the Holy Spirit! Our focus for the day was on vocations, but more importantly, our Baptismal vocation and call to be holy in our every day lives.

The 7th and 8th graders put together some entertaining skits on the calling of Moses, the anointing of King David, the conversion of St. Paul, the calling of St. Peter, and the Samaritan woman at the well. We also talked about the importance of prayer and the Sacraments in our lives. During our breaks, we played dodgeball (the teens, with their nimble feet and younger age, always seem to beat the Cross+Trainers) and some rousing Jenga games brought the group together. The teens also received the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation together and spent some time in silent Adoration. Then we celebrated Mass with our families and parish community at 5pm. It was a grace-filled day for both the youth and leaders alike!

Whenever I work with kids in junior high (or even younger), I'm always reminded of the calling of the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament:

The word of the Lord came to me thus: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew
you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you."

"Ah, Lord God!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young."

But the Lord answered me, "Say not, 'I am too young.' To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." {Jeremiah 1:5-9}

Many people think that the call to holiness is something we can only live out once we are confirmed. Some wait until they're older and they've "grown up" and are "capable" of being holy. But this seed of faith and call to sainthood is planted in EVERY person at Baptism. We are each created for a particular purpose, and we are called to love others and live out our calling every day, starting NOW, regardless of our age. I was so inspired by those young people I met yesterday... inspired to approach my faith with the same simplicity that they did.

May the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen us so that we may live out our baptismal calling daily!

How are YOU doing in your faith life... have you quieted your soul and prayed today?

In His love,
Richelle