Faith & Modern Youth by Xavier James L.S.

FAITH & MODERN YOUTH BY L. S. XAVIER JAMES

As we live in a world of consumerism, we tend to value everything we do according to the returns we obtain from it. In other words, we tend to ask ourselves, whether what we undertake is really worthwhile. This attitude also creeps into our relationship with God. Being individuals, who have identified ourselves, with the cause of God, it is but natural that we sometimes wonder, what is the effect of faith on our modern youth? How is faith understood by them? Is it only an external ritual or something much more?

The cross has a very central place in the Christian understanding of the faith. Previously, the cross considered to be a symbol of shame, used for criminals, hence avoided at all costs. It is Jesus’ death on the cross that made it a symbol for veneration. Because of Jesus Christ it was transformed from an object of shame to a symbol of glorious victory over death. Today, unfortunately, ignorant of this deep significance, the cross for many of our youth is a fashion symbol, often associated with villains, dancers and dons etc.

Religion is supposed to help an individual to grow in one’s search for the Divine, thus resulting in a fruitful life of love and service. Unfortunately, now-a-days, we find some of our youth, engaged in external rituals, which do not have any significant effect on the lived life of the individual. Hence, a sacred mark on the forehead, the cross or wearing of fez, instead of being signs of religious persons, have ended up being markers of a specific identity, even though those who wear this mark may not profess their faith in it. This seems to be encouraged by the media which propagates and emphasizes a rather superficial and consumerist view of spirituality.

Often, our worship of our creator, is only ritualistic which many times does not affect our lived life. The rituals we perform, the petitions we make and even some of our so called good deeds, do not seem to be signs of a transformed inner life. They are often rituals, which do not meet the actual spiritual needs of the persons. If our religion is concerned about our spiritual need, there will be a gradual transformation or the conversion of our souls.

So also, today, rituals, symbols and religions are abused for political purposes, and they do not have any moral value in themselves. The politicians seem to take advantage of the easily excitable nature of a mob of youth, who will unthinkingly join in a demonstration which seems to be popular. Hence, we find manifestations of these phenomena in Rath Yatras etc. Whereas our faith, if it is true, has to be manifested in the streets in the right relationship with others, and not embodied in rituals practiced in the Church, Mosques or Temples. It is in this very context that St. John Vianney says, “I love God, of course it would be silly to love God and not love his children”. The real meaning of religion and spirituality has disappeared on account of some selfish people, who use religion to gain money, power and authority. We may ourselves be led by these blind leaders, when we unthinkingly follow them.

I came across the head of a family of three children who sought enjoyment at any cost. To be able to enjoy the person wanted money. Further, the money was to be spent in seeking out suitable partners who would be able to gratify their carnal desires. This family was considered to be religious one, they also met with the usual demands of religious practices. But I could not just help wonder, where this family would ultimately land. If the root itself is rotten, what would become of the fruit?

Once I came across a young person who thought of a happy life as one with ‘wine, women and song’. This person would frequent religious rituals, but in fact lived a life that was solely concerned with his own pleasure. Although he celebrated a God of love, in fact he practiced a life of self seeking. In this case, I could not help but remember what Cardinal Newman has said, “It is love makes faith, not faith love”.

Hence it is not surprising that often we come across people who are dejected, sad and helpless. Concerned as they are with goods and pleasures which are passing, they often end up feeling empty. In fact, the persons with true faith, born of love, are persons who are forever hopeful. Rabindranath Tagore, speaking of the faith of such persons, has said, “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is dark”.

Love, Faith, Hope and Truth are the needs of the hour. If our youth are imbued with these, then the future of our planet is secure. To enable our youth to develop these right attitudes, they need some leaders who will guide them on this path of true spirituality. Then, indeed, we will have a race of people who will live marvelous lives, for as St. Augustine says, “they having faith will believe what they do not see and the result of faith is to see and enjoy what we believe”. Then, indeed, will the world be a happy place to live in.     

(This article was published in (Anjali) the college magazine of L D Arts college as I was doing my Bachelors degree in Sociology in Gujarati through Gujarat University, Ahmedabad from 1995-1998)