Imagine that during the rush hour you have to pass different groups talking about some topics, trying to get your attention on your way to the subway. Which one would you notice? Those that are standing next to a stand and just hand you a piece of paper, or the one where the people sing, start chatting with you and above all, look happy?
The latter is what young people are in the Church nowadays. Full of energy and new ideas, enthusiasm and a fire that is typical in young people. They are not jaded yet, and can see colors in a world where others can’t anymore. A lot of people are disillusioned, have some bad experience or they simply don’t have any real experience with God. Many times they only need a new pair of glasses to see the world, some rekindling of the fire they used to have or just a way to experience this happiness they see in others.
While young people are usually enthusiastic and full of fire, they have an other advantage: they are also more free than others to express themselves. Nowadays all we hear is “Be yourselves” and that we’re free to do whatever we want to, and while it encourages young people to things that are sadly not right, it also gives them a push to be brave enough to let others see their faith, to give testimony of Jesus and to show the world and the people around them why they are so happy. It’s a freedom they use better than anyone else.
In addition, as natives to this new digital world they can do this in countless ways, and they can reach others by using more platforms than people who are only visitors to this world can keep up with. They have the technological advantage, they have their freedom and their courage and they have their fire.
This is the group that can show the young face of the Church and give back the colors to those who lost them. They can give testimony of their good experience and happiness to those who lack these. This is the group on the street which people stop to listen to: free, brave and joyful.