Jesus was heavily criticized by the Pharisees as 'a conceited man who preaches that a person does not need the Law to be saved'. He was persecuted for being 'unfaithful to Jewish traditions'. But they failed to understand that Jesus does not abolish the Law rather he brought it's fulfillment.
Jesus brought a twist on the law. The fifth commandement says, "Thou shalt not kill." But Jesus says, "Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell'" (Matthew 5:21-22) We can say that all of us are guilty of it. Jesus says that it is not enough not to kill. But the real meaning of the commandemnt is, " Have you loved? Have you been the cause of your brother or sister's sadness?
Jesus also says, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24) Our service to God as youth leaders will be useless if we do not love our brothers and sisters. God is displeased with the time and effort we give to our small ministries when at the same time, we easily hate others. God actually does not need our offerings since he has everything. God says in the Old Testament, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledging Me rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6) What He wants from us is our love. And the love that we will give Him is inseparable from the love we should have for our brothers and sisters. St. John says in his letter, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20) What is the use of our vocal prayers, our ministries and our apostolate if others does not see in us our will to forgive others or if we are easily overcome by our pride and anger? I have reflected that in the end of our lives, God will not ask us how many church organizations have we joined, how many masses or processions have we participated nor how much money have we donated to the Church. The last question is: if we loved. As St. John of the Cross says, "In the twilight of life, it is in love that we will be examined."
The sixth commandemnt forbids adultery. But Jesus is very particular that he prohibits not only adultery but most importantly, he upholds the chastity of both body and mind. As we observe, we young people are exposed on the bad influences of the world defining promiscuity as "freedom" and immodesty as "self-expression",defining pornography as an "art", homosexuality as "alternative lifestyle". The world that we have now is far from the Gospel of Christ. As we can see, many of our fellow youth are enagaging in premarital sex, pornography, sodomy and lots of promiscuities and immoralities. Love has been defined merely as physical attraction and sex has been robbed of its dignity, different from what God designs it to be. Marriage is not anymore seen as sacred but just an option. It is very rare to see a young person living in chastity. And they are even mocked and treated as "weird" by some people.
As young people, we must be an example in living according to the will of God. We must be simple but be radical in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in our lives. We must be catalysts in upholding respect for human sexuality. It is also a sad thing to mention that many young people are not anymore joining church orgs since they do not see good examples in us. I believe that as normal persons, we are different from St. Aloysius Gonzaga or St. Maria Goretti who truly lived exemplary lives of purity and innocence. But we must strive for perfection like them although we may fall several times. True, I can also say that it is very difficult for me to live a chaste life as long as I live in this mortal body and in this world corrupted of godly values. It is very difficult at times to control my urges. I bet all of us have similar issues as we mature. But, God's grace is at work in us! You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world! (1 John 4:4)
These are several tips in order to live in chastity. First, avoid pornography. Since the eyes are the windows of the soul. The more malicious data that enter through our senses, the more malicious data generated by our mind. Don't willfully browse websites that will lead us to sin. Turn your gaze from pictures that create in you a feeling of lust. Do not buy magazines or tabloids that teaches inordinate sex which is different from the will of God. In the Gospel, Jesus says, " If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.' ( Matthew 5:29) It means, we must tame our eyes that it may not be the cause of sin--- although it is difficult. In case we see a provocative picture immediately or if we suddenly remember a lustful things that we have done in the past, we should tame our mind to erase it. How? Through good thoughts. Since, evil thoughts can only be repalced by good ones. Second, we must avoid companions leading us to sin. "And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:30) It is difficult to turn away from companions who lead us to sin. Sometimes, based on the Gospel, it is painful like having a part of our body cut off. But it is necessary. But, it is not judging them. It is not removing them from our list of friends nor avoiding being with them. But, if being with them at certain times causes us to sin, it is better to stay away.
Chist is always in the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist. Let us make use of his presence. A priest can be a good adviser for he never tells secrets through the seal of confession. It is his vow from God. He also undertands us since he once became a youth. He hears our confessions only through the authority from God. I suggest we should confess as much as possible as soon as we commit a mortal sin so we may never be enslaved by them. Because the more we hide our sins, the more we suffer the guilt. That is why St. John Bosco promised the young people that he will hear their confessions even if they come to him at midnight.
The small piece of Bread we receive at mass is Christ himself! Therefore by accepting him in our bodies and souls, we gain greater strength as we fight the enemies of our souls and we work for our salvation.
Let us be guided by the words of St. Paul. "Brothers and sisters, I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a holy and pleasing sacrifice to God your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may judge according to the will of God--- what is good, pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)
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