Fluidity and stability

WE cannot deny that life is very fluid, very dynamic.

There are many issues to tackle, pressures to bear, problems and

challenges to meet, deadlines to meet. To top it all, there can be

many surprises along the way and mysteries to contend with. This is

not to mention the constant battle between good and evil that rages in

our hearts.

  

            And yet in all this, we have to learn how to have focus,

to stay on course, to be stable so as not to get lost or even

confused. We should avoid getting tossed back and forth by just any

kind of wave in the ocean of life, or blown here and there in the

drama of life.

  

            Definitely, what is needed is to have a clear vision of

our real and ultimate goal in life, and then arrange all the other

elements in our life so as to attain that goal. I wonder if everyone

has this concern to establish a clear vision of our ultimate goal.

  

            Having this vision would help us to distinguish between

what is essential and what is not, and to develop a sense of priority.

As some management technique would have it, we have to start something

with the end always first in mind. Otherwise, we would be going

nowhere.

  

            That is why we have to bring into the picture our core

beliefs in life, since that is where we would have the idea of what is

the end or goal that is proper to us. Is it just material success or

something spiritual and supernatural?

              This is already a big challenge since right now there are

just too many ideologies and philosophies, not to mention, lifestyles

and cultures that compete in defining what the ultimate goal of man

is.

  

            We need to explain again and again, with gift of tongue,

that it is Christ who tells us what man is. It is to him that we

should go to know about the ultimate end of man. And Christ’s

teachings are now deposited, interpreted and taught by the Church.

   

            In the school where I work, the Christian view of life as

taught by the Church is, of course, proclaimed. It is not imposed or

forced on everyone. I respect the consciences of students who may hold

positions of unbelief, doubt and confusion.

             The idea is simply to accompany them pastorally,

explaining things, suggesting, opening horizons, even correcting. Yes,

sometimes and very occasionally, scolding can help too. Many if not

all of them actually have no problem accepting the Catholic faith, but

the challenge is how they can be stably consistent to that faith.

  

            It is to help them walk, run, climb, swim and fly properly

in the flow of life. It is for them to develop and grow in their

spiritual life, tutoring them in the art of prayer and the whole range

of a life of piety suited to their personal condition.

  

            When they make their first awkward baby steps in this

regard, it is important that they be closely supervised. Thus, it is

necessary that I win their friendship and confidence. This will

require a heavy investment of time and effort that should be

underwritten with a lot of prayers and sacrifice.

  

            Given the temper of the times that make many young people

very materialistic and worldly, the challenge is indeed great. In

fact, it is overwhelming. But there is always hope. And all the effort

needed to help them is indeed worth it.

  

            Let us hope that we can count on many people who can help

in this delicate task of helping the youth how to be stable in their

Christian life amid the dizzying fluidity of the real world. Let’s

hope that tomorrow will be better than today.