To accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.
Shattered Dreams
The youth have dreams-fair, rare and bright. They embrace their dreams whether influenced by peers or by their experience of the social, political, and economic factors around. However, some of the youth seem not motivated to achieve their dreams if they do not match with family or social expectations. Sometimes their dreams are shattered because of a lack of proper self-identity, of falling into bad company, substance abuse, not being accepted in society, and excessive use of social media. These, and many factors, hinder the youth and they settle for the mediocre or even less. In this competitive world where money, pride, power, relationships, laziness, arrogance, and violence rule, the youth seem to have lost the ability to dream big.
They feel they are left alone to pursue their dreams. Thinking back to the Spiritual Exercises, three questions remain at the forefront of my mind: What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Him? To help my fellow youth attain their dreams in a world full of exciting and agonizing lifestyles. This makes looking at the youth who are able-bodied, and those living with disabilities, ask oneself how can we support them to achieve these seemingly impossible dreams? I regularly ask God for the graces of perseverance and fidelity in understanding the needs of my fellow youth and to accompany them in attaining their goals.
God gives us the Lenten time to continue ponding on how to help the youth attain their dreams in a world full of uncertainties of life and fear of the unknown. It’s because of our do-not-care attitude that many youths feel that they are left alone with their shattered dreams and problems. They suffer, as no one seems to listen to their inner cry; no one shows them the right path towards reframing their dreams. Lord, help us, as Jesuits, to walk with the youth in uniting them with your dream of the Kingdom of God. Walk with us and help us blaze new trails of discipleship, as we accompany our fellow youth and lead them closer to you.
Vincent Mpoza, S.J.
