WORKS OF MERCY - PRESENCE - FOR MINISTERS
Young adulthood is often seen as the pinnacle of health and energy. Of course we know that this is not always the case. Besides the number of physical ailments that can affect young people, there are also many forms of mental illness that exist. Our parishes and young adult ministries can help to serve as beacons of hope for young people in their suffering.
How? First by sincere accompaniment. It is important to let young people know that they matter even outside of their participation in formal parish life and ministry events; that they are loved on their hardest days as much as they are on their healthiest. Young adults need to know that the Church is their home and somewhere they can turn to for prayer and support when they are struggling.
Now support doesn’t necessarily mean solving the problem of suffering itself. It takes humility and patience to accept that we cannot fix everything immediately or tangibly for those whom we minister. What we can always do is offer some relief through our prayerful presence, like Simon who helped Jesus carry His cross (Matthew 27:32).
Further, if we as ministers can model faith through suffering ourselves, then we can better help others to endure their own suffering. “To bear wrongs patiently” is a work of mercy that everyone can and should learn to practice. In ministry there can especially be found opportunities to offer up inconveniences and trials for those whom we minister.
A ministry event doesn’t go as expected? It’s ok to experience disappointment, but then trust that God can still work through the mess.
You feel lonely or misunderstood in your ministry? Take the time to seek community for yourself and stay faithful to the mission that God has given you.
The events of the world are wearing on your soul? Acknowledge that you are sharing in the ache that God must feel in His own heart and do not despair.
“To bear wrongs patiently” means that nothing, big or small, can shake us enough to truly cost us our inner peace. Young adult ministry is not an easy mission. It involves accompanying others through their suffering and disappointments while also navigating our own. It means tolerating imperfect people and their mistakes, and choosing to trust in God and His timing. Above all, it means imitating the patience of Christ Himself and the love that He showed to us through His Passion. Jesus is truly the perfect example, in the way that He makes Himself present to us even in our sin and weakness. Let us continue to seek His grace together in our parishes and young adult ministries as we continue our mission with mercy.
“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love…” (Ephesians 4:1-2)
