I’m writing this as the presidential election is taking place. Don’t worry, though, because this column won’t be about this election or politics.
Many people are increasingly ill at ease about the state of our nation, the future of our nation, and the hope for the youth of our nation. In the face of this uncertainty, what can the response of ordinary people like you and me be? I would like to invite us to focus on our youth and place our trust in them. When we do so, we will be surprised and the future will be shaped differently — I believe in a very positive way.
We live in a society where the bonds of trust seem to be breaking down. Here is what Pew Research published in 2019 regarding Americans’ views about whether people are generally trustworthy:
● “Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or most people can’t be trusted?” 52% believed most people can. 4
● 58% said that people “would try to take advantage of you if they got the chance” rather than “try to be fair no matter what.”
● 62% said that “Most of the time people just look out for themselves” rather than “try to help others.”
While it appears that there is some faith left in the trustworthiness of the people around us, we are strongly tending towards seeing others as more self-interested rather than fair and trustworthy.
In this context, many people begin to retreat further and, in an effort to defend themselves from a perceived threat, stop trusting others or even tend towards despair. These actions betray a worldview that does not believe in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The love of God, poured out into our hearts which makes us all call God “Abba” (Father) establishes a universal brotherhood (cf. Rom 5:5, 8:15, Mt 23:8). Rom 5:5 also begins by telling us that “hope does not disappoint.” Though Christians expect persecution and difficulties in this world, following Jesus our Divine Master, we do not allow ourselves to be governed by fear as we live in the world. When we trust, we will occasionally be taken advantage of and disappointed. But in the end it doesn’t matter because we live for the long-term (eternity) and not the short-term.
What I’m trying to say is that we do not need to fear our youth, but rather we need to invest in them. We should not despair of the future, rather we should build towards it. We should not lose faith in our youth, but rather show them what is worth believing in. We don’t need to be afraid of a competing set of values that they might bring, but rather thoughtfully engage them in a discussion about what truly matters.
I believe that if we never trust a child, they never become trustworthy. If we never believe in a teen, she will never believe in herself. If we never show a youth that he is capable of taking responsibility, he is unlikely to do so on his own. Let’s place a vote of confidence in our youth.
What can we do?
Parents, spend some time reflecting on whether you have built trust with your teens. There are many resources out there with ideas of how to do so.
Adults, find a small way to encourage, build up, and place trust in the youth in your lives. Don’t retreat - engage.
“I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you.” (1 Jn 2:14)
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Fr. Dave Carrano is the Parochial Administrator of St. Clare of Assisi Parish (Monroe and Brodhead), St. Francis Parish (Belleville and Albany), and St. Joseph Church (Argyle), working as part of a team of three priests.
