February 22, 2008

This is an excerpt from a talk about Jesus for teenagers and young adults

What would you say if I told you that there was somebody who died for you? That there was somebody who thought you were special and who said that your life has a purpose? Would you believe me? What would you say if I said to you that this person was not just an ordinary person, but God Himself? Would you believe that somebody could love you so dearly and go to such extremes to show His love for you? Or would you dismiss it and follow along with what everybody else is doing?

My brothers and sisters, all of us have questions about life. All of us desire to know why we are here, what our purpose is, and what our destiny is? Yet, who will answer these questions for us: the media, the government, Hollywood?

There is only one person who can answer these questions adequately; Jesus Christ.  He is the answer you are looking for. He himself says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (Jn 14:6) It is the teaching of the Church that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man, that this man who entered human history 2,000 years ago, who was born in a stable to Mary and Joseph was not only a man, but the second person of the Blessed Trinity.

It means that for a period in history God walked among the earth like you and I. He became a little baby in the arms of Mary so that He could show us how much He loves us and how concerned He is about us. God knows our situation; He knows our thoughts, our pain and our desires.

You are all young and at the springtime of your life. You will face many choices in your life and have to make very important decisions. What will guide you? Who will be your inspiration?

I encourage you to invite Jesus Christ into your life. He does not want to take away your freedom or prevent you from having a good time. He wants to tell you that He is real, that He loves you, and that He has the answers to your deepest questions about life. He wants to teach you and fulfill all the desires you have in your heart for happiness and love. He wants to tell you that you can stop wondering if anybody cares about you or if your life really has a purpose.

Yet, Jesus Christ is a gentleman. He will not come where He is not invited, nor will He force Himself into your life. He stands, knocking at the door of your heart, waiting for you to open and invite Him in. What will be your response?

Br. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
St. Leopold Friary, Yonkers, NY

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