Youth Minister: A vocation, a gift!

Jay Marlo P. Huraño
Youth Coordinator
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Davao City

Last Tuesday, July 12, 2011, I attended the mass because there was something that kept on bothering me and it’s related to the youth ministry. Every time I have a problem whether it’s small or big, I see to it that I can attend the mass despite thehectic schedule just to offer my problems and worries to the Lord. I know I can stand firm in the faith despite of the many challenges that I face and I can still continue serving the youth out of selfless love. The Gospel for that day was taken from Matthew 11:20-24 and it says, “Come to me all you who labor and I will give you rest”. From that, I grabbed the chance to be in the retreat to be with the Lord and other youth ministers even though I am having my nursing review every weekend.

Our retreat master was Bishop Pol Jaucian, SVD, DD, Bishop of Bangued-Abra was one of the CBCP ECY Bishops. He shared to us his personal insights and experiences as we reflected together on the theme for the year of the youth, “Stand firm in the faith, do all your work in love”( Corinthians 16:13-14). The theme was divided into three parts: Awareness of self as a minister, stand firm in the faith. Be courageous, be strong, and do all your work in love.

Awareness of self as a minister
As youth ministers, we need to be aware of our youth ministry, and to share it with others. There were two points that struck me during this session. First, Bp. Pol said to us that, “not only Jose Rizal said this to you that you are the hope of the nation. We as a nation also believe that you are the hope of the church.” And second, one of my group mates revealed to us her favorite verse taken from John 15:16 which says, “You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.” This is the gospel text that keeps her passion always burning for the youth despite of hardships in life.

Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous, be strong!
Despite of the many challenges that we encounter as youth minister in our different dioceses, we need to be stand firm in our faith for us to be courageous and strong. On the positive note, problems are just challenges from God to test our faith to Him and specifically to draw us closer to Him. My most striking or significant encounter with God was when I first entered the youth ministry of the parish. I consider it as a gift from God. And in addition, Bp. Pol said to us that, “The love of Jesus is calling us to be a youth minister to serve the youth. The love of God is a vocation to serve Him. It is our vocation as youth minister.”

Do all your work in love
This session was a nerve breaking session. The statement “Do you love me? Follow me.”, challenges all of us. We love Jesus by serving the youth by sharing our talents, treasures, and time. We sacrifice everything out of love for the youth ministry and sometimes we ask God, “is it not enough to express my love for You by serving the youth and the church?” Love has many forms and norms. All I can say to this is do all your work in love despite the challenges that we face every day.