This past year I have had the privilege of being a youth minister with Sr. Bridget and Kelly Colangelo at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, FL. We served middle school and high school teenagers and ran various types of programs from large group sessions to small group Bible studies to girls and guys groups. We hosted several retreats, we each met with some teens for individual accompaniment, we sometimes visited them at their schools for lunch, and went to their sports games. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time with teenagers and it was so much fun and they taught me so much!
These are 5 lessons I’ve learned about the spiritual life from the teens I served:
- Be honest.
I love the honesty of teenagers. They tell it to you like it is. Do they think something is lame or unfair—they’ll let you know. Do they think something is fun or a good time—they’ll ask for it again. I led a Bible Study on the Holy Spirit last semester, and we used a video series to aid our discussion. One day a bunch of them fell asleep. When the video was over, and I asked them what happened, one replied that the videos were boring. Fair enough! When I come before God with this kind of honesty—when I share with God how I really feel or what I really think, I meet Him where He already is. In the real. Hiding behind a pristine demeanor or talking about pious-sounding topics doesn’t deepen my relationship with God. It keeps it at the surface. Honesty with God takes it deeper every time.
- Be curious.
Some of my favorite moments in ministry so far has been sitting with either one person or a small group of people discussing random questions about religious life or thinking about God’s character together. In these moments there isn’t fear or embarrassment but genuine curiosity. From superficial questions to sublime ones we engage with the mystery and there’s so much life in that. How often do I enter into prayer thinking I already know or just not ask the question I actually am wondering! I’m learning to sit with Jesus and ask the seemingly superficial and sublime questions about Himself, about myself, or about life. To tell Him that I don’t know and to ask Him to teach or show me. Jesus always meets me with such kindness!
- Be resilient.
These teens have a lot going on! Between school loads, extracurriculars, some having difficult family situations, confusing and conflicting social ideologies and pressures, these teens have a lot on their plate. Yet they don’t give up. They keep showing up and I’m so inspired by that. When I feel overwhelmed with life or feel desolate in prayer, I need to keep showing up and not give up. Sounds simple, and definitely hard in the practice, but these teens call me on!
- Stay connected.
Before our programming begins there’s usually a lot of socializing. Friends reconnecting from the weekend, and people meeting each other for the first time; it’s a lively time! In our large group programming, we also have a time where we split off the group into small groups. We use different methods to make these small groups and each time we experience some who will do whatever it takes to be with their friends. The lesson here for me is, do I do whatever it takes to make sure I’m with Jesus? Sure, yes, I’m a religious sister who has set times for prayer, but do I do whatever it takes to make sure I’m actually with Jesus in those times of prayer and not off daydreaming? Or in my thoughts throughout the day? In my pursuit of virtue? In staying vigilant against temptations?! Will I do whatever it takes to stay connected to Jesus?
- Have fun!
These teens are so much fun! They want to laugh. They want to joke around. They want to play. I have so many great memories of racing teens through obstacle courses, singing karaoke, acting in a skit, going all-in with games, and joking around with each other! We’re made for joy! As St. Philip Neri said, “let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us.” We are a delight to God. Our spiritual lives do not have to be serious all the time. I can bring that playfulness into my relationship with Jesus. Be silly with Him—to joke with Him.
In Scripture we read, “And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Mark 10: 13-16) Let’s receive the kingdom of God like a child this summer! One that is honest, curious, resilient, connected, and playful.
- Sr. Mary Petra Ricciardi, T.O.R.
