"They could be twins"

I have to watch Hotel Rwanda in the next day or so. I need to pull a clip from it for youth group on Sunday. Our discussion is focusing on "Us and Them," the divides we create or believe are there when we talk about social justice issues and service.

As the film accurately explains, the difference between the Hutus and Tutsis was basically imposed during the colonial era. In the film, the white reporter cannot tell the difference. As he comments, regarding two women one of whom is Hutu and the other Tutsi, "They could be twins."

From the earliest age we place different labels on ourselves and others to try to understand the world around us. And to an extent, we have to do this. Animal, vegetable, mineral. Stranger, friend, family. Inedible, edible. Often these labels help us to know what is good or right in a situation.

What becomes dangerous, is when we apply fictitious or inaccurate labels, or worse yet, impose such labels on others. That, and the negative effects of the colonial era, helped lead to the genocide in Rwanda. That, along with insecurity, is what leads to bullying.

While I sincerely hope that the world has learned its lesson and the tragedy in Rwanda will not be repeated, I worry. We like our labels far too much. It is a slippery slope we venture on when we let ourselves fall prey to labels.

(Note, I also posted this on my personal blog)

Beginning the 40 Days

Which Pew Are You

A couple of weeks ago, a friend posted a question on Facebook that started a huge discusison on the simple geography of where one sits at Mass on Sunday.

Very, very quickly people jumped in and bewailed how there are so few of the good sort of Catholics who sit quietly, reverentially and so very close to the altar. They disparaged those that lurk near the doors of the church, hinting that those in the back pews are on the cusp of their seats, ready to flea as soon as they receive the Eucharist (and only the Body, not the Blood - they are bad Catholics after all).

I stumbled on this post after about a dozen others had traveled along the line of congratulating themselves and others for sitting in the front pews and happily pointing fingers at those bad ones in the back.

And I was mad. Really mad.

We're not even going to touch the whole 'judge not' thing - someone else, long ago, covered that point much better than I could.

Are these people paying attention? Are they even paying attention to the theology they hold so dearly to? Is not Christ present in the community at Mass? Keeping one's head down, only gazing at the altar and the priest, you miss Him in one of the ways He is present.

Also, do those people in the front realize what they have said to Him? Do they realize that there are young families who sit in those bad pews so that their toddlers can have a bit of space and they can escape to change dirty diapers? Do they realize that there are people who are handicaped that find the harsh eyes of judgment too much? Do they realize that these special brothers and sisters of ours, are trying not to disturb the 'goodness' of those up front? Do those good ones, up front, realize the doctors, nurses, police officers, military reservists, that sneak in during that opening hymn (or Heaven forbid during the second reading) are just eternally grateful for an hour of peace to center them in the midst of serving their community? Do those in front, realize their lay ministers may be hiding out in the back because they don't want to receive that tap on the shoulder during the Prayers of the Faithful asking why we didn't pray for life issues this week (despite the fact that we prayed for the incarcerated and the immigrants)?

What really irks me is knowing a saintly frined of mine, a single mom (gasp) with two children. She adopted these kids. So she faces the judgement of those who see a single parent at Church with a resigned heart. What she shouldn't have had to face was the cutting remarks and harsh looks of those in front when her youngest acted out. This little child (did He not say to bring them to Him?), came from a horrible medical background and had gone through countless foster homes. No, all those up front saw was a little girl with a single mother acting out.

When my friend moved to the back, they helped her. Those bad ones in the back offered board books on Bible stories, pouches of cereal, and understanding hugs during the Sign of Peace. Yes, bad Catholics in deed.

So perhaps before we judge people at Mass based off where they choose to sit, we should get to know each other a bit. Maybe instead of allowing our self-righteous thoughts or annoyances to cloud our judgement, we should look for Christ in our neighbor. For Christ is there at Mass - in the one praying the Rosary before the entrance hymn just as much as the single parent arriving late with a child in tow.

Christ came for all. The rest is just geography.

Food Courts, Facebook, and YOUCAT

Bear with me, I am likely to ramble, but this is something I really believe in.

A while ago, a great blogger, D. Scott Miller posted about the need to be in the food court, not bringing everyone to the table. Read his post here, then come back to this. Good? Okay. Next.

World Youth Day is on my mind - we're at the 180 day mark for our trip (we're going to Rome first for a pilgrimage there). So we have table hopping, WYD, Rome, and the Pope on my mind.

Next, the YOUCAT is getting more press as it is nearing its publication date. Here we have a version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that has received all the stamps of approval imaginable that is geared towards the youth age demographic. Rumor has it we can expect to see it in our pilgrim bags in Madrid.

So what does a food court, WYD, Rome, the Pope, and a new book have in common? They remind us of what we need to do and the fact that we need to pay attention to the delivery systems.

Every time I expect a FedEx delivery to me at the parish office, it ends up at the rectory. Eventually the package finds its way to me, but extra steps are involved, there is a period of time where the item is missing, and the uncertainty can cause me to jump to making panicked phone calls to the shipper.

We have the most incredible message of all time - hope, faith, salvation, and love. Yet, are we getting the delivery system right? We have resources that have simmered for over 2,000 years bringing together all the best and most faithful humanity can offer. Do the means we transmit that message meet the glory of the words?

Not all the time. In some cases, rarely. I'm not heading into the realm of whether our liturgies do or not, that is not my point at this juncture. I do want to question whether we are meeting our youth and young adults where they are in this world and offering them an honest, loving message as Christ did. Are we leaving our offices and formal publications to spend time in coffee houses, dorm cafeterias, local pubs, and yes, even the Internet to share this Good News with young people? Are we using the best of the means at our disposal?

Not only does using these means spread the Gospel, but it models how such means should be used. Everyone is quick to point to the evils of Facebook, Twitter, and texting, and I am the first to say they are used for horrible deeds and words. However, by making active presences on these venues from the indivual through the highest levels fo the Church we can transform through modeling these mediums. These tools are powerful, look at the impact they had in contributing to the protests in Egypt, creation of flash mobs singing Hallelujah in malls, and gathering political support in American Presidential elections.

We, as Church, need to ensure we are using these modern means in the best possible way to share our ancient, yet ever relevant Good News.

The Anticipation

Papers with color coded words are carefully arranged on the board.

Loops of painters tape are ready to post discussion questions.

Furniture is moved.

Floor chairs are arranged in a circle.

Four pounds of M&Ms are sorted into separate color dishes. (Yes, I'm paid to do this.)

Water is ready to be heated for hot cocoa and tea. The fridge is stocked with soda.

This is the anticipation of youth group. This is Sunday. This is the time when I take a deep breath, know I have prepared well over the past week, and acknowledge that something (or somethings) will not go according to my plan. And that is youth ministry.

We make plans, we move furiture, we do strange things with food. Ultimately, it is not our plan that unfolds. It is God's. I've learned to accept and embrace that.

One day I sat joking before Mass with a coworker (she works with the adult small groups). I said that on any given Sunday I have three youth groups planed:

1. The one I actually hope to do and have spent a week working on preparing.
2. A social night - needed if there are individual matters to attend to due to stress, current events, exams, or some other factor that pops up unexpectedly.
3. The dreaded Plan C. This is in reaction to a major community event at one of the schools, in the parish, etc.

Ironically, the homily that week I sat with my coworker was unexpectedly about sexuality, dating, sex and marriage. Youth group was supposed to be on the Beatitudes or something. Yeah, Plan C. Just what adult leaders love, a last minute text with the note that we are probably going to be talking about sexuality that night at youth group.

But we're youth and young adult ministers. That's how we roll. Because we must. Because we love it.

Too early to say....

...But can I start warming up the phrase, "I told you so."

Whispers In the Loggia has tweeted that "strong buzz running that post-Madrid WYD will head to South America -- world's largest Catholic country: Brazil, Rio, July 2013."

Couple of things here - Brazil - fantastic. About time we head to South America.

July - fantastic again. With highs averaging in the upper 70s, it will feel cool in comparision to what we can expect in Madrid. Plus for the college kids going they won't have issues with rushing back to campus life or even missing a few days of classes.

July 2013 - Ay! Okay, that means that I will literally be starting to work on the next WYD before I've recovered from jet lag from this one! Whew!

I could use another cup of tea!

Technology

This month, Youth Worker Journal, has dedicated their issue to Technology & Youth Culture. As usual, it is a fantastic, thoughtful read.

That said, here's my two cents.

Technology is a tool. Like any tool it can be used for good or evil. A tool in the hand of a master craftsman creates works of art. A tool in the hand of a genius or inventor creates useful, helpful, even lifesaving items. A tool in the hand of a fool, the careless, or someone with evil intent will be dangerous, harmful, or even lifethreatening. This is nothing new.

Perhaps instead of focusing on the technology itself, we need to focus on the user. For if we work to develop ourselves and those we work with as skillful, thoughful, holy artisans, the tools can do great good.