Give important roles for youths to serve and take responsibility in church

Jun 28, 2019

By Bernard Anthony
“Today, young people are frustrated because they think their views are not being heard. Pope Francis has said we need to allow young people to serve in the Church. We hear people saying the youths are the future of our country, but the future is now.” Fr Simon Lau said this at the Church of St Anthony on June 10 during the feastday celebrations of St Anthony of Padua. The Mass, Youth For Christ, was offered for the young people.

Fr Lau, from the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Assistant Director of ASAYO Kuala Lumpur, added that adults should give more important roles to the young. He cited the parish feastday as an example where the youths are in charge of the decorations. “The young are not your slaves, give them something important. They are more creative than you. Give them something better to do,” Fr Lau asserted.

He also called on the young people to pray to God to discern ‘What God wants from you’. Fr Lau said God will lead them to life and eternal fullness. He also shared on his conversion to the Catholic faith and his journey in becoming a priest.
“In life, if we lose hope or faith, remember Mary is praying for you, holding the faith for you,” said Fr Lau.

Fr Lau urged all to pray for those who had lost hope and passion in life. He said many young people and even adults have lost hope, dreams and purpose in life.

He reiterated that vocations always come with commitment.In order to have commitment, we need passion, a passion to be a father or mother or teacher or any kind of responsibility. Today most go to work and return home to eat and sleep. We have lost our passion. Fr Lau quoted Pope Francis at the recent World Youth Day saying that young people are the now. Not just in the future.

Going further, Fr Lau said we need to pray for the loss of peace in families. “Don’t come here to pray for material things but, rather, to pray for spiritual things, especially dignity as God’s children,” he added.

Fr Lau said Jesus’ three years ministry on earth drew many people to follow Him. Quoting the story of the 5,000 who followed Jesus, he said they were not interested in Jesus, but wanted to see miracles of healings and perhaps, get a little meal from Him. But the 72 who were sent out were more interested in Jesus, just like some of us who go for formations and seminars to know more about Jesus.

Jesus’ 12 apostles left everything and followed him. Jesus spent time with them, teaching and praying together. Among the twelve, Jesus had three closest to Him. But two ran away except for the one who stood under the Cross with Mary.

Fr Lau asked the assembly, “Which one are you? One of the 5,000 who just come? No, we who are baptised must at least be like the 72. Be disciples, not merely devotees. Devotees ask for miracles, but disciples perform miracles. Jesus sent the 72 out, two by two, to heal people and cast out devils. Devotees like to touch statues but disciples touch peoples’ lives. The disciples carried their own crosses and followed Christ.

Fr Lau urged the young people to ask God what He wanted from them, carry their crosses and follow Him as His beloved disciples.

After Mass, Fr Lau said a prayer for the youths and blessed them with holy water.