WORKS OF MERCY - Honor - FOR MINISTERS

It is sometimes easy for young people to feel like death is far away. The season of young adulthood can be full of distracting dreams and hopes that help create this feeling. It is good for young adults to be reminded, in this case, that we were created for a life beyond the one we enjoy on earth. “Memento mori” is a theme that is often found in Catholic art and tradition, which comes from the Latin words meaning: “remember your death.” We hear a similar sentiment every Ash Wednesday when ashes are placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 

As Catholics, our parishes and young adult ministries should not shy away from the topic of death and dying. We are not supposed to have an unhealthy fear or obsession with it, of course. Rather, God calls us to remember that death is inevitable, but also defeated. The separation of the body and soul in death was never a part of God’s original plan for us, yet He chose to use it as the instrument for our salvation. Because of Christ’s death on the cross, we can now look forward with hope that our own death will be the doorway to eternal life. 

St. Paul tells us: “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Jesus Himself reminds us throughout Scripture about this hope. He comforts His friend, Martha, at the death of her brother, Lazarus, by saying: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

It is true that death and eternal life may seem like foreign thoughts for many young people. Yet it has to be remembered that for others, death can feel all too near and familiar. The loss of a loved one, the impact of war or tragedy, or a personal near-death-experience can help bring to mind many questions and feelings about the mystery of death and eternal life. Our parishes and young adult ministries can play an important part in helping young people to navigate these questions and feelings through faith and compassion. 

First of all, parishes and ministries can help create space for grief and mourning. These are valid and acceptable human emotions that even Jesus Himself experienced. Right before He resurrected His friend Lazarus from the dead, Jesus took the time to grieve over him. The shortest verse in the Bible tells us in John 11:35: “And Jesus wept.” Of course, our faith calls us not to remain in sorrow or fall into discouragement. Parishes and ministries can help accompany young adults to a place of hope through emotional and spiritual support. Masses, memorial events, prayer, grief ministries and counseling are all ways to practice this accompaniment.

Parishes and ministries can also help to educate and support young adults in caring for the dignity of every stage of life, especially the most vulnerable. Young adulthood is a time when many young hearts may be challenged by caring for aging parents. They may also be shaken by the sudden loss of a peer to tragic events. Many young adults are also entering into family life. They may know someone or experience personally the loss of an unborn child due to abortion or miscarriage. It is important for these young adults to know that the lives of the unborn matter, too.

Third, parishes and ministries should teach about the Communion of Saints and help young people to realize the importance of praying for each other before death. Too many people wait until someone has died to start expressing their prayers and charity for each other. What would our parish community, and our world, look like if we lived every day as if it were our last, loving and praying sincerely? What if our young people instinctively turned to prayer in all situations and for all people? 

Finally, young people need us to pray directly for them. It sounds simple, but praying for the young adults we minister to may just be the most important thing we do for them. Prayer can reach those places in young people’s hearts where our own efforts fall short.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” (James 5:16)