ARE THEY READY?

Sermon/Homily, Morning Mass 7 April 2016. Message:  ARE THEY READY?                
A very good morning to you all. (Clears throat). Its the Memorial of John Baptist De La Salle, Priest. He Devoted himself mainly to educating young people in Christian Faith and introduced new teaching methods in other to enable them to learn and be formed as good

Christians. He prevailed in the midst of great trials, opposition and hardships. A young boy who attends a Pentecostal Church (name withheld) met me yesterday that he wants to apply for the Priesthood. He came with his mother. I asked what motivated him, his reply was straight. "I watch the Mass on a local TV Station 5am every morning". I laughed and said " that "incredible" Catholic mass. He is on his way to the Priesthood as you read. In the Church of today, where are teachers who will devote themselves wholeheartedly to the human/Intellectual/Spiritual/Economic/Moral/Christian education of the young. Too many young people are casualties of the distractions/Spiritual war of this world. The Casualties are increasing. We need more spiritual paramedics. The pressures are -  The pursuit of material success (which is not bad in itself) and Sexual temptations. After Confirmation & before Holy Matrimony many youths remember little or nothing about God even the active ones. This is the period some claim to "SEE THE LIGHT". They become hostile to many Catholic teachings and Practices and absorb the false ideas and values of the new culture they had come across. Efforts to draw them back to truth proves abortive sometimes seriously oppossed. In attempting to follow God's will we will meet with opposition. That's what my Bible tells me in Acts 5: 27-33. Think about the pressures from our society, to accept abortion, use contraceptives and now even incest! Some propose that friendly incest as opposed to violent incest, is normal and acceptable. Young people are being brainwashed to believe that there is nothing wrong with premarital sex or use of drugs. No more abstinence but use condoms. The word of God in Acts 5 contains an important principle for us today "Better to obey God than men".  Where has the family failed in her duty of influencing her young people who spend less time contemplating the things of God, and more focused on worldly affairs. Do Parents care to push them out for Church activities organized for youths. If the family is in order, the state will be in other; if the state is in order, mankind will live in peace. Family has got to continue where the works of pastors stop. God is more important than the family. Like John Baptist De LA Salle we need to reach out to the youth with more expansive young peoples programs. Teach them the faith consistently using creative, youth oriented methods, more-youth-engaging style, and in our time, Using the Youth version of the Catechism of the Catholic Catholic Church (YOUCAT). The Question is, Are they ready?

Ozoh joseph N.               
Lagos Archdiocese.