By Laura Becerra Youth Ministry Coordinator, Archdiocese of Denver Young person, you matter. There are many young people living with fear and anxiety. These feelings can stem from various situations, but ultimately, they may hide a sense that their existence might not be very important in the world. Panic takes hold of us when we contemplate the worst possible scenario: that maybe, just maybe, God doesn't care about us. When we live believing that we don't matter, we begin to lose ourselves. We forget who we are and lose sight of the meaning and purpose of our lives. Many young people have lost faith in God and now seek meaning in life elsewhere, far from the one who gave their life the very meaning they seek. The Archbishop of Los Angeles, Archbishop José Gómez, in his pastoral letter titled "For Greater Things You Were Born," asks us: "Are we truly better off if we live without God, as if he does not exist and as if we could replace him with our science and technology, our own inventions and devices? Is satisfying our needs and wants, material pleasure, and bodily comfort — is feeling good, having the right products and a steady stream of stimulating entertainment— is this what makes for a happy and meaningful life? Or is there something more?" (#5). Young person, there is something more! There is much more. We know it. We can feel it — the longing in our hearts, in our souls, for something greater than ourselves. It comes from our true identity as beloved children of God. YOU are a beloved son, a beloved daughter of God, created in his image and likeness, unlike anything else in all of creation! This identity is fundamental to our lives; we must never forget it. Again, from Archbishop Gómez's pastoral letter: "In the fourth century, St. Gregory, the Bishop of Nyssa wrote these tremendous words: 'O man, scorn not that which is admirable in you! You are a poor thing in your own eyes, but I would teach you that in reality you are a great thing! … Realize what you are! Consider your royal dignity! The heavens have not been made in God’s image as you have, nor the moon, nor the sun, nor anything to be seen in creation. … Behold of all that exists, there is nothing that can contain your greatness.'" (#12). Often, however, it's hard for us to see our greatness, our value or the value of others when we witness suffering in the world. Jesus told us before his death on the cross: "In the world you will have trouble..." He gave us this warning so that we would not be caught off guard. He didn't stop there, encouraging us: "... but take courage, I have conquered the world" (John 16:33). Archbishop Gómez again offers us this from his pastoral letter: " The suffering and injustice we experience in creation is a call to service and empathy. When the innocent cry out to God in their suffering, we are the answer that God provides. We are called to be his voice of compassion, his hands of love and assistance. As long as there are Christians, no one should have to suffer alone!" (#22). When we witness suffering, that is where our call to be the answer comes in, not a reason to feel defeated. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to walk with others. We must ask the Lord for the courage and grace to do so. As sons and daughters, our Father has a plan for our lives. He has shown his love for us by allowing his Son to die on the cross, and now we must respond to this great love. How will you respond? The first step is to maintain a relationship with God. Make God the source of your life, of all your strength and joy. Get to know him and share your life with him, every part of it. You can do this through daily prayer, spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Also, consider the vocation to which God is calling you. The universal call to holiness is for everyone, but he calls each of us to serve our mission in different ways. Stay open to the Lord's call in your life. Protect your heart from the lie that you don't matter. It's a lie meant to paralyze you, to keep you living in mediocrity. God did not create you for nothing — you were made for greater things! He has not given you a desire that cannot be fulfilled. On the contrary, as St. Gregory said: "Realize what you are!" Realize that you matter, and you will change the world.
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