Looking for a Little Enthusiasm (10/19/2023)

All of my adult life, I have been a teacher and catechist. I believe with every fiber of my being that there is a LORD who loves us and who desires that we have life filled with love and goodness. And I believe that we have a role to play in that becoming a reality. And so, I give my time to work with youth to try to help them on this journey first to discover that there really, truly is a LORD, and then to trust enough to open themselves up to that all-loving and ever-present LORD. But I must tell you, honestly, that at 7 p.m. on a week night after a full day of school and , for many, practice for a sport, the enthusiasm levels among youth in a faith formation class is about as high as a worm’s waist.

I can’t fault them. If I were wearing their Nikes, I’d probably want to be anywhere but in a hard, metal folding chair, listening to a short Irish woman. That’s why I never appear for those classes without a great deal of prayer. I know that I can’t do it. Let’s be honest. I’m not that exciting. But the Spirit, oh, yah, the Spirit can do things if called upon. And so, the youth don’t know it maybe, but hopefully they will cooperate as the Spirit tries to kindle in them that “enthusiasm” – that “God within.”

I had a class last night. What a wonderful group of youth with potential so profound it is almost tangible. Imagine, I think, as I stand before them, what we could do if they all were able to connect with the LORD in meaningful and transformational depths. And so, we try.

As I was driving home from faith formation in the rain last evening, I thought of all the young people. I mentioned them to the LORD by name again (because I pray for them by name daily while I have them in class and I’d already done it that morning). I asked the LORD to bless them until we met again. And I asked the LORD to stir within them.

I think of the potential of our world, not just the faith formation teens. What could we do if we allowed the LORD within us to stir us, “to rouse us to faith and good works” (Heb 10:24)? Who would we be if we allowed the LORD to use us as instruments of the divine will for goodness and love to be the glue that held us together rather than hatred the weapon that tears us apart? Oh, the world clearly needs some prayers in this time, to get in touch with the LORD, to unleash the “enthusiasm” for this life as we journey to life from, through and in the LORD.

A necessary “check” for our “enthusiasm” would be a good practice as we continue on the Way, following in Christ’s footsteps. Truly, He promised us that if we remain in Him, He will remain in us (John 15). Let us commit to checking our enthusiasm and allowing the Spirit to stir within us. May we allow ourselves to get excited about being the dwelling place of the LORD’s Spirit.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.