Maranatha!
I do want Him to come so badly. Not like end times scenario, just as St. Peter said in his letter to count His waiting as patience, I certainly do, but I am speaking more about coming into hearts, coming as a bridegroom for His bride.
I went on a High School Kairos this weekend that was sponsored by our parish. For those who don't know, it is a cursillo type retreat for High School Seniors. The leaders of the retreat are students that have been on a prior Kairos and give talks about certain preset subjects. Yet the powerful thing about thetalks are that they are usually laced with some personal/ very personal things about the person giving the talk. This part certainly proves St. Paul's point that Christ dwells in weakness, because when these kids start sharing their own weakness is when something powerful happens. So overall it was a very powerful weekend for the youth and for me. It is a complete blessing that I could even be apart of someone's life in this way. One youth in particular I definitely connected with. This guys is so much like me in his sin and his personality. He is using marijuana like it is oxygen, loves to snowboard, likes girls for all the wrong reasons, and was none too hip on the whole God idea (even less into the Jesus thing). But, I give my talk on the retreat, sharing my story about all that has gone wrong and how God has put it right. I can tell that this guy is trackin' when I'm talking and it ends up he really relates and we have some good conversations about life and the Lord. It is a definite blessing to my heart everytime God uses my weakness to strengthen someone else. Thank you Lord!
The rest of the youth were equally as amazing in their openess and struggle and I had the opportunity to have some sidebars with them that were equally as blessed.
But, I guess what amazes me is the sin. Our priest on the retreat at the end said that if the world is left in the hands of these young men and women, it will be a great world. I think I know what he was trying to say, it was still off, because it was at this comment that I found myself disagreeing. I thought to myself of all the conversations I had had with the youth and I couldn't help but think what a broken world we would have, just like we have now. These kids weren't evil, but they were certainly empty, certainly selfish, which leads to all the other stuff-drugs, promiscuity, relativism, cutting themselves, etc. So I couldn't help but think that we would be left with the same world or worse. Sure the kids wanted to talk about God, but the world has always wanted to talk about God, but no one wants to invite Him into the conversation. So it is the same story. Without serious repentance, it will remain. And, without the Lord, nothing will be repented of. So in the end, we don't need what the world calls good people. We needs saints who have radically embraced the Gospel, who touch the poor, love the orphan, heal the broken, and follow Him. These youth have begun to taste His goodness, may they remain to drink fully. Maranatha! Come Lord!