“The eleven disciples went to Galilee,

to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

Then Jesus approached and said to them,

‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.’”

As I approached and then turned 50, I noticed a tendency in myself to underestimate and undervalue younger generations. When I was a teen, I remember the complaints from older generations about my generation and I vowed to never fall into that trap. Yet, it may be the natural order of things and I am intentional about dispelling the judgement that somehow rises within. I think back to after my freshman year in high school when I spent the summer in Korea with my dad who was stationed there in the Army, how I would go out into the city of Taegu by myself, worked a mostly unsupervised summer job for the Corps of Engineers, and traveled alone internationally. Or, I think about my graduation from the Air Force Academy, how many of my classmates went on to pilot training and in their early twenties were flying 60 million dollar aircraft in combat situations. Or, I recall that in my first assignment following intelligence training, I was placed in a job normally filled by a major and could control half a billion dollars in intelligence assets at 23 years old. I remind myself that young people are amazing. 

Last weekend, I met a young man who had recently moved to Louisville and was at St. Boniface for the first time. His enthusiasm for returning to mass without a mask and with holy water in the font was infectious (if you’re back and reading this, thanks!). This year, our teachers at St. Pats, many of whom are younger, rose to the challenge and provided an exceptional education and loving support for our students and families. Their witness to the power of a faith community responding in the midst of a crisis has made an impact for those who found the secular response lacking and we will likely have an additional 100 students in our school next year. Many of the new young families are ready and seeking to be engaged in the journey of faith with our community. Just this week, we had a request from one of our Scouts to do his Eagle project for St. Pats, a testament to tenacity, resilience, and service. Although he is a little older, I can’t express the hope that Fr. Steven gives me now and for the future of our church as he prepares to become a pastor, himself. We should not underestimate the young. Instead, we should give them the ball and see how far they’ll go!

Of course, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, our gospel reading is chosen because of the explicit reference to baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit as part of Jesus’s mission given to the eleven disciples (apostles). It is good to remember that none of them were likely over 30 years old and some may have still been teenagers. Of course, the gifts of all are important, but God entrusted his whole mission on earth to a group of young adults (let’s not forget that Jesus himself would have been in this category for his public ministry, death, and resurrection). Young people are the church (not just the future of the church). They are and will be great disciples, leaders, and servants. Pray for them, encourage them, invest personally in them, and call out their gifts. God handed them the ball 2000 years ago. Look around and see how far they went! Now, it’s your turn.