Dear Friends,
Happy Feast of Pentecost! Pentecost is considered the watershed event in Christianity. The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of the original Pentecost when the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary, gathered in the Upper Room, were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in different tongues (Acts 2). Peter’s speech that day brought about three thousand people to the way of Jesus. (Acts 2:41). A small body of believers was empowered to be evangelizers as the Holy Spirit filled them. And the Church began to grow.
During my homily last Sunday, I mentioned a group of Jesus Youth who had asked me for permission to use our Church today for prayer and worship time to celebrate Pentecost. Some of our parishioners asked me about this group. So I thought of writing briefly about them.
“Jesus Youth” (JY) is an international Catholic movement that challenges young people to live a meaningful, creative, and fulfilling life. This life begins with a personal, loving encounter with Jesus and continues as they grow in a joyful spirituality within a community of like-minded friends. It had its beginnings in Kerala, India, and evolved as an active part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the state in the late 1970s. In 1985, the International Year of Youth, a number of youth groups came together under a single name, Jesus Youth. Jesus Youth is approved by the Vatican and is present in over 40 countries.
JY is known for its spirituality that promotes an active Catholic lifestyle that is relevant to a young layperson facing the challenges of life. The movement follows a lifestyle modelled on the life of Jesus Christ, based on the Six Pillars of Spirituality:
- Prayer: At the heart of the movement is a daily ‘quiet time’ with the Lord that leads to an experience of a loving friendship with Jesus and fosters a joyful attitude to life.
- Word of God: A regular time for a meditative reading of the Sacred Scripture helps to shape one’s life according to God’s will.
- Sacramental Life: Frequent and active participation in the seven Sacraments, with emphasis on the Eucharist and Confession
- Fellowship: Christian life is a call to live the life of the Trinity in communion with one’s brothers and sisters in Christ through mutual support, encouragement and gentle correction.
- Evangelization: Fruit of an active life with Jesus is a joyful commitment to witnessing, sharing the person and message of Jesus with others. This commitment to evangelization is central to the life of every member of Jesus Youth.
- Option for the Poor: Willingness to serve those in need and a preferential option for the poor are the signs of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
I have personally known many JY members some of whom are members of our own parish. They are like leaven in the bread that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20–21. I have always been edified by these youth and young adults who live a life of discipleship in their families and work place. In the name of the parish community of St. Matthias, I’m very happy to welcome the Jesus Youth of New Jersey to use our church for their Pentecost celebration of prayer, praise and fellowship.
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Abraham Orapankal