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Morning Watchman of the New Millennium
Marinette Uy
"Sometimes when we look at the young, with the problems and weaknesses that characterize these in contemporary society, we tend to be pessimistic. The Jubilee of young people however changed that, telling us that young people, whatever possible ambiguities, have a profound longing for those genuine values which find their fullness in Christ. Is not Christ the secret of true freedom and profound joy of heart? Is not Christ the supreme friend and teacher of all genuine friendship? If Christ is presented to young people as he really is, they experience him as an answer that is convincing and they can accept his message, even when it is demanding and bears the mark of the Cross. For this reason in response to their enthusiasm, I did not hesitate to ask them to make a radical choice of faith and life and present them with a stupendous task: to become "morning watchmen" (cf Is. 21:11-12) at the dawn of the new millennium."
The paragraph above is an excerpt taken from Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (At the Beginning of the Third Millennium), which was addressed to the bishops, clergy and lay faithful at the close of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.
Imagine, the Pope's apostolic letter includes a section specifically addressed to the youth! It is indeed quite evident that His Holiness recognizes the importance and the role of the youth in the Catholic Church. The message above spells quite a big responsibility for us, doesn't it? The Pope asks us to become "morning watchmen" at the dawn of the new millennium.
At this point I couldn't help but recall a person whose life simply captures the whole picture-Blessed Pedro Calungsod. As a young boy, Pedro could read, write and speak Visayan, Spanish, and Chamorro, paint, draw, sing, and worked as a carpenter. He became a teenage catechist and worked with Spanish Jesuit missionaries to the violent Chamorros in the Ladrones Islands (modern Marianas) in 1668. Because he was a Christian on a mission to catechize the Chamorros, and baptize them, Calungsod was murdered by two natives. He died a martyr trying to defend Father Diego Luis de San Vitores.
Like Bl. Pedro, we can also respond to the Pope's challenge of becoming "morning watchmen" in our own little ways. Of course, this is not an overnight thing. The Pope himself said that this is a "stupendous task". But we are not alone in this journey. Christ is with us! With Him in our life, we can "accept this message even if it is demanding and bears the mark of the Cross". St. Paul's letter to the Philippians says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)
So where do we begin?
Knowing ourselves
Before we go any further, I believe it would be best to look into our hearts and begin the process of knowing and understanding ourselves better. As we come to a better knowledge of ourselves, we begin to recognize our talents, our abilities, our strengths and our weaknesses. We will know what areas in our life needs some focus or polishing and what areas are to be carried on.
Knowing Christ
Let's get the habit of reading the Bible everyday. We could start with the New Testament and learn about Christ's earthly life and that of the early Christian communities. After all, "Is not Christ the secret of true freedom and profound joy of heart?" (Novo Millennio Ineunte)
Knowing the Church
Have we asked ourselves this question: "How do you identify yourself with the Church?" Simple: WE are the Church-the people of God! : With a deep knowledge and understanding of ourselves and Christ, the center of our Catholic faith, we will be able to realize where and how we could do our share to best contribute our talents for the good of our family, our community, our Church.
One song puts it so fittingly, "We are the Church and we are young; that's why with Him we know it can be done." I pray that we may all do our part as FCCY in striving to become "morning watchmen" by constantly and consciously making a "radical choice of faith and life"-by living a Christ-centered life.
If you have any feedback or stories related to this topic I'd like to hear about them. Feel free to get in touch with me at marinetteuy@yahoo.com. God bless!
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