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I see you at Starbucks. I see you watching Netflix. I see you at $5 PBR night. I also see you struggling to make it.
I feel you. I feel it. I also wish someone had written this to me.
Dear Millennials,
You (and I) know the times right now are not the best. We are in the wake of terrorism, political elections, finishing school, entering the workforce, leaving our faith, poverty in our communities, environmental problems, opposition to the faith, personal relationships and families. We have student loans, car payments, more bills, young children, emails to send, one last appliance to fix and a house to buy. Not to mention, we face the constant challenges associated with faith.
We get lost.
We also see that our generation of 18-35 year olds has an expectation of being the fixers, the innovators, the outspoken, the leaders, the passionate and even the best generation yet (I may have made that up).
It is interesting, however, that we are not known as the generation who has masculine, confident and committed men or feminine, confident and committed women.
Why are we not seen as these virtuous men and women?
Sarah Swafford states that in order for us to be our best we must use our head in a way that our hearts can follow. Pope John Paul II (JP2 for the win) stated that, “Man must reconcile himself to his natural greatness.”
So, obvious question:
How can we, as the fixers, innovators, outspoken, passionate leaders use our head and hearts to strive for ‘natural greatness?’
Simple answer: We need to ignore society’s expectations of growth.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, says it perfectly:
I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received: Ephesians 4:1.
In other words, grow up and live like the grownup God made you to be.
Discern your vocation.
Yeah, you may be the fixer, the innovator, the outspoken, passionate leader, or you might just be the person behind the open letter. Yes, the times are not the best, but you cannot be the modern Marvel superhero without looking toward our actual superhero–our Savior Jesus Christ.
Millennials, we are in this together with the ultimate cheering squad. You are all awesome, virtuous people. Start living like it.
I am rooting for you.
Taylor Ferebee – Contributor
What are some of the challenges that you face as a Catholic Millennial? Feel free to comment in the section below!
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