Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Tagaytay City
by
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. Background of the Study ................................................................................................. 1
2. Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................. 2
3. Methodology...................................................................................................................... 2
A. THE FILIPINO CHRISTIAN YOUTH TODAY............................................................... 3
1. In the Family ...................................................................................................................... 3
2. In the Church ..................................................................................................................... 5
3. In the Society...................................................................................................................... 6
B. THE ROAD TO EMMAUS: THE YOUTH IN BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ................. 7
1. The Two Disciples and the Youth: Confused and Disappointed............................... 8
2. True Happiness and Enlightenment through the Scriptures ................................... 10
3. Acknowledging and Meeting Jesus Christ in the Meal ............................................. 12
C. ANIMATION OF THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH SPIRITUALITY ................................. 13
1. The Phases of the Encounter ......................................................................................... 14
2. The Youth in Encountering Christ................................................................................ 16
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................... 18
BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................... 20
INTRODUCTION
1. Background of the Study
The biblical story that took place in the road to Emmaus is a very interesting
source of seeing ones journey of life. The lives of the people can be perceived in the
experience of the two disciples who were walking towards Emmaus and met Jesus
along the way few days after His passion and death. Everybody has a walking
experience in life. People undergo changes from one moment of their lives to another.
As a person goes on in life, his/her knowledge grows. There is a development going
inside the person as the journey of life continues. During the journey, each person has
also a meeting event. Persons see other persons and may have known them well. Some
people stayed not so long in ones life. Others become companions until the end of ones
earthly life. Human persons meet others most of the times. They interact with other
persons verbally or non-verbally. At any moment, they could have an encounter with
another person.
In the Emmaus story, the two disciples had an encounter with Jesus Christ whom
they did not recognize while they were walking. As they end their journey towards
Emmaus, they identified Jesus through his gestures in the meal and his knowledge of
the scriptures. This biblical event can be seen and reflected upon as the model and
framework in animating the spirituality of young people today, who are in the early
part of their journey and discoveries of the richness, beauty, and challenges in life
together with their encounter with Jesus Christ.
3. Methodology
In this paper, the contents of the main topic will be explained through bibliotheological reflection as applied to the concrete situation of the youth today,
representations of the elements in the biblical text, and transposition by theological
insights.
Secretariat of the First Diocesan Synod of San Pablo, Acts and Decrees First Diocesan Synod of San
Pablo (San Pablo City: Diocese of San Pablo, 1994)
2
Republic Act 8044: The Youth in Nation-Building Act of 1995, http://www.nyc.gov.ph/about-nationalyouth-commission/ republic-act-8044 (accessed January 31, 2013).
3
Episcopal Commission on Youth, Ka-Lakbay: Directory for Catholic Youth Ministry in the Philippines
(Manila: Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, 2004), 21.
4
Ministry of Catechesis and Catholic Education, Antabay: Formation Module for Youth and Adults
(Archdiocese of Manila: Ministry for Youth Affairs, 2003), 64. Henceforth, reference shall be Antabay.
widespread today. It shows that what they are accustomed to do at home such as
greetings and bonding with the whole family are still present despite the modern
society which may influence the way they relate to other family members. It also shows
that the youth still appreciate being with the family rather than with their colleagues as
what many people think. Today, we still hold on to a culture which is directly
connected to the family. As a youth minister puts it: The first environment that shapes
our lives is the family. 5 It is the family that conditions and forms the young minds and
hearts of children. This process leaves a mark on their lives and guides their actions as
the young people grow.
Another youth study in 2006 was conducted by the McCann-Erickson
Philippines. It shows that parents purposely work on spending quality time (and not
just quantity) with their teenagers.6 This means that most of our youth are still with
their parents during the usual activities such as eating, watching television, and going
to church. The influence of family values and parental guidance tries to neutralize the
negative effects of media today. This presents the reason why despite the new
environment with the media, most youth are still family-directed.
For those youth whose parents are not with them because of work abroad or
because of separation due to family problems, the absence of parental guidance may be
substituted by the mass media which could be alarming in some areas. They could
Abjar Bahkou, On the Road to Emmaus: Youth Devotional Journey through Christian Faith
(Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, 2010), 44. Henceforth, reference shall be Emmaus.
6
McCann-Erickson Philippines, 2006 McCann Inter-generation Study: Youth Study Highlights (Manila:
McCann-Erickson Philippines, 2006), 17. Henceforth, reference shall be Highlights.
cultivate value systems like individualism and transcending time and space in a
globalizing culture.7 They look for something which can support them, replacing the
absence of parents with other things so that they can continue their life and accept
themselves.8
2. In the Church
One particular area wherein we see the youth is the church. According to the
First Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of San Pablo in 1994, oftentimes the youth are
involved in different activities of each parish. The synod clarified that they serve as
runners and helpers on physical arrangements if there are parish activities or seminars.
The synod delegates affirmed that the youth are actively involved externally but they
are not given the proper formation such as education regarding the faith, their
responsibilities, and spiritual formation.
Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo also claimed that the youth are the most
numerous in our population and they are some of the most active workers of renewal in
the Church and in society. But they are the most vulnerable to the negative
developments in the rising technological society. 9
Jeanette C. Patindol, The Global Youth, The Filipino Youth: Choosing Reading Materials
Appropriate for the Times, Reading Association of the Philippines Midyear Demofest, (October, 19-20, 2007),
http://www.jeanettepatindol.com/uploads/3/5/3/0/353097/choosing_appropriate_reading_materials.pdf
(accessed
December 3, 2012).
8
Tony Anatrella, The World of Youth Today: Who Are They and What Do They Seek?, Boletin
Eclesiastico de Filipinas 81, no. 850 (Sept-Oct 2005): 590.
9
Orlando B. Quevedo, Behold I Make All Things New, Message of the National Pastoral Consultation on
Church Renewal (January 27, 2001) http://cbcponline.net/v2/?p=461 (accessed December 3, 2012).
The result of the cited studies on Filipino Youth in this research says that most
youth are personal but individualist in relating with God. 10 They are more able to
express their faith in God individually rather than with the community. But the way
they show it has a close link to their family who taught them about their belief. Their
trust is mostly to their parents in whom they are comfortable with when relating to
God. Those young people whose parents are with them go to Church together with
their parents. Here it is still noticeable that young people values their relationship with
the family.
3. In the Society
In a wider scope, this study will show the identity of the young people living in
the whole of society. This will focus on the social awareness and their interactions with
the government, the school, and their peers. According to the study being cited in this
research, the Filipino youth is society-influenced, but not very society-oriented.11 The
society is seen as a great influence to young people but it may be hard for them to act
according to the trends of society. The youths insights regarding society are subjective
and they will keep it within themselves or with their closest friend.
Looking at the youth study by McCann-Erickson Philippines in 2006, earning
drives them to study well. Its result is this:
10
Antabay, 67.
11
Ibid., 68.
They are willing to dream of a better future for themselves and their family, and
will go wherever this dream takes them. They will do whatever it takes
including the pursuit of alternative career paths to make this dream come true. 12
The study results to the observation that many young Filipinos are already fixing
their minds, while they still study, to what they want for their own selves and for their
family. In college, even shifting courses can be done just to reach their dreams. Learning
for them leads them to earning. There are many young people who maintain
practicality in order to be successful in their life, and to survive from the changing
society.
In 2011, the McCann Worldgroup conducted a wider youth study regarding the
social awareness of young people. The third observation is that young people are
regarded as the present truth hunters. According to the results, Truth is rarer and
therefore more valued in a world of fake friends and curated identities. 13 This shows
that searching for the truth is still essential for the young people within a society
composed by different peoples and ideas. The presence of many products of world
development leads the young people to be confused with the essential things in life.
And this confusion leads them to search for the truth in the society where they live.
B. THE ROAD TO EMMAUS: THE YOUTH IN BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
After narrowing the character and situation of the Filipino youth, the researcher
will use the scripture passage wherein the condition of the young people can also be
12
13
Highlights, 11.
McCann Worldgroup. The Truth About Youth, (May 2011), http://www.iab.net/media/file/ TheTruth
AboutYouthMcCannWorldgroup.pdf (accessed November 8, 2012).
seen. The Gospel story about the two disciples going to Emmaus is a rich reference of
knowing and perceiving the ways of many youth in the country. The story happened in
the long past. Yet, its relevance is not yet exhausted. The whole story can be related to
the manners how the young people take this life.
The use of stories in guiding the young is proven by most experiences. We
forget most of what we hear in a lecture, but we remember often the stories told by the
lecturer.14 Stories do not easily leave peoples minds and imagination. They are aids to
understand a meaning of human experiences. They have a power of making people
realize more their situations and move them into action.
In this part, the researcher wants to show how the two disciples experiences and
reactions can be much related to the life of the youth today. There are three subtopics to
be presented. First are the disciples and the youths confusions and worries on this
world; second, the aid of the scriptures in enlightening the minds; and third, the
importance of the meal which concretizes the acknowledgement of Jesus presence in
ones life.
1. The Two Disciples and the Youth: Confused and Disappointed
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.... We
had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. (Luke 24:14, 21)
In the first part of the Gospel story, the two disciples recalled their experiences
with Jesus while He was still with them. They remembered with broken hearts the
14
Jericho Natividad, Evangelizing the Young through the Use of Stories,MST Review 13, no. 1 (2011): 27.
things that had happened to them while they were with Jesus Christ.15 They were
disturbed upon learning that Jesus, whom they regarded as the Messiah and liberator
that Israel had been waiting for, suffered, was nailed to the cross, and died like an
ordinary criminal of their time. They felt being cheated for their hope and joyin Him
lost instantly after few moments. In short, they were disappointed so much that they
have decided to go on their own, leave the other followers of Jesus in Jerusalem, and go
back to their own lives.For them no time ought to be wasted any more, as they had lost
too much of it.16They became confused about the real personhood of Jesus and the
validity of His resurrection which they heard from some women disciples.
In the same manner, we can identify the youths condition with the two disciples.
Today, the world offers many possible things which are available to anyone who can
afford to acquire them. We see today achievable stuffs which do not widely exist in the
past such asimproved communication devices, stylish belongings, having friends
abroad easily,knowing the different trends around the world, and more.These things
give happiness and satisfaction to many young people. And yet when these things have
passed the times, many of them felt discontentment. They seek for another thing or
things. They look for something more which will satisfy their longing for happiness.
They go out and join their peers to fill up their own needs.
15
16
Emmaus, 24.
John Ha, Ministering to the Youth, Reliving the Emmaus Story in Youth Ministry in Asia: Reliving the
Emmaus Story, 2nd Bishops Institute for Lay Apostolate, Malaysia, (Taytay, Rizal: FABC-OLF-Youth Desk,
2008), 23. Henceforth, reference shall be John Ha.
10
The youths preoccupations and concerns often make them disillusioned with
society and the Church. Often, these preoccupations and concerns also constitute a
stumbling block to faith.17 Since almost all young people are not staying in the Church
in full time, they have other primary concerns about their lives and needs to be
achieved. These concerns lead them to leave behind things not needed at the present
time. What they need today should be acquired as soon as possible. In a word, it is
instant. They will do what they can in order to reach their dreams. It is because they
may have already fixed themselves toward a particular goal. When they encounter a
conflict upon realizing their goal, they easily become worried. Like the two disciples
who expected a liberator in the person of Jesus, they were confused and disappointed
because of his death.
2. True Happiness and Enlightenment through the Scriptures
O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ...
And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them in all
the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25, 27)
In this part of the gospel story, Jesus knows the disposition of the two disciples.
It is confirmed that they were disappointed because what they expect is not realized.
Jesus purified their thoughts not with His own words but by using the Word itself. He
used the scriptures in order to make the course of events clear. The death of Jesus has a
great purpose in this world, and the two disciples did not fully understand the meaning
of Jesus suffering and death.
17
Ibid.
11
Jesus himself proclaims his resurrection and leads the two disciples to faith.
Their eyes were opened to the story, which was much bigger than all the
bewildered stories they had just told. Their eyes and hearts were opened to the
big story of the wonder and grace of God in all creation.18
By the scriptures, the two disciples realized the connections of events. The feeling
of wonder may have returned to their hearts. Excitement may have been starting in
them while listening to Jesus and the stories concerning his person. Maybe, they are
imagining the stories in their minds and were seeing the truth in the explanation of
their companion Jesus.
In connection with the youths condition today, it is a fact among the various
changes in this world that many young people have no love for the Word of God. They
appreciate it, they respect it, they tolerate it, and they listen to some of it, but do not
really love the Word of God.19 Many youths go to Church and yet it is not assured that
they really focus on the stories and their meanings in our lives. Listening to the Word of
God can be boring to many young people today. They think that they are just stories of
the past which we only recall. The Words relevance to their present life is not really
clear to them. They need a medium which can explain it to them and to enhance their
interest with the Word. In the experience of the two disciples, Jesus explained the
scriptures to them. Today, what the youth need is also a companion in journeying with
the Word or else they will end up in letting their disappointments guide them. In that
case, they will distance themselves away from Jesus the living Word.
18
VM Thomas, The Youth and the Word in Youth Ministry in Asia: Reliving the Emmaus Story, 2nd
Bishops Institute for Lay Apostolate, Malaysia, (Taytay, Rizal: FABC-OLF-Youth Desk, 2008), 49.
19
Ibid, 46.
12
20
21
Ibid, 30.
13
22
Mario Antonio Villegas Baclig, Empowering Todays Youth: 3rd Millenium Youth Ministry, A
Compendium Vol. 2 (Philippines: Salesians of Don Bosco, 2009), 81.
23
Oliver M. Tuazon, Back to the Basics: Fundamental Principles and Values for Nation Building (Quezon
City: Institute of Spirituality in Asia, 2010), 57.
14
15
meaning in the events of our life when we listen to the Lord through the reading,
meditating, and contemplating the scriptures.24
Moving on, they invited Jesus to dwell with them. Stay with us, because it is
almost evening and the day is now nearly over. (Luke 24:29) After knowing the
situation and listening to Gods message, the third phase of the encounter is the
response of the two disciples: they accepted Gods plan as revealed in scriptures and
explained by Jesus to them. They did not only invitehim due to the time stated, but a
concrete way of showing that the two disciples wanted to learn more from Jesus.His
stay with them implies more opportunities of conversation and realization for the two
disciples. Their stop within the journey represents spending moments of reflection on
the Word they heard, leading them to response positively to Gods plan and message.
The fourth phase which is the peak of the encounter is seen in verses 30-31.
Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing;
then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they
recognized him; but he vanished from their sight.
At the table, Jesus is no longer the guest but the Host of the meal. This meal
which has the four-fold gesture speaks of the last supper where he instituted the
Eucharist. The disciples saw again Jesus and realized what they did. He is not just a
visitor anymore, but the risen Christ. It is not a merely meal, but Christs real person.
Upon recognizing Jesus once again, the two disciples came to know more about
their feelings while Jesus was talking with them. They were overjoyed about their real
encounter with the Lord along the way. With gladness in their hearts, they have already
24
Emmaus, 26.
16
felt burning hearts within while conversing with Jesus. This fifth phase is the
celebration in the encounter with Christ. Persons who experienced Jesus real presence
will truly be joyful and thankful to the Lord.
The final phase of the encounter concerns the decision of the two disciples after
recognizing Jesus in the meal. That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem.
(Luke 24:33) It indicates a time same hour. It was nightfall. Yet, they were convinced to
go back to Jerusalem where the other disciples and apostles have gathered. This is a
move from darkness into light, from death to life. 25 This phase is about re-entering life.
After a concrete encounter with the Lord, another response is present. The action to
move away from darkness is the decision made by the two disciples since they have
already burning hearts within. They became zealous in telling their own experience of
the risen Christ. They were neither afraid nor frustrated. Their hopes to Jesus came back
through a process and their joy was fulfilled.
2. The Youth in Encountering Christ
Aiding the youth to meet the real person of Jesus Christ is a task of many
Christians who are already matured in the faith. The researcher suggests that the
Gospel story of the Walk to Emmaus be used as a framework or guide in contributing to
the formation of young people.
Since the spirituality for youth speaks of growth, youth ministers who work with
and for young people must ensure that a presence with them and that actions being
25
17
shown to them will foster the growth of the young to fullness of life. The total
development of the human person along the features of the Risen Christ is the aim of a
youth ministry, for Christ is the Perfect Human Person.26
In the Philippines, a particular version of the youth encounter module is
designed for young Filipinos. It was developed by Msgr. Ping Molina and Bishop Jose
Sorra in 1971.27It was accepted as the basic formation program for Filipino youth in
1985. It has sessions or phases as seen the Emmaus story. It is a process in line with the
growing of spiritual life of a young person. Its impact on youth groups today varies in
accordance of their culture and time.
What is challenging here is centered on how will the youth experience and
encounter Christ personally. Like the two disciples on the road, they are led by
someone to achieve that personal encounter. In their case it was Jesus. In the youth
encounter, the youth are represented by the two disciples. The facilitators and
companions represent Jesus as a stranger to them. The dispositions of the youth are in
line with the two disciples. In the process of the encounter, little by little they are being
led to the peak the Eucharist.
26
Baclig, 82.
27
Ibid, 123.
18
CONCLUSION
In this work, the researcher presented the situation of the Filipino Youth within
the age of post-modern social media. In particular, the youth in the Philippine context
are family-directed, personal but individualist in relating with God, and they are
society-influenced, but not very society-oriented. Different forms of environment and
influences affected the character of the youth. These lead them to be confused and
distracted in the journey of life.
Relating the above situation to the gospel story of the walk to Emmaus, the two
disciples in the story represents the young people today. The two are confused about
the suffering and death of Jesus. They did not expect that he will undergo those events
and thus they were disappointed. The youth too experienced that form of failure. In the
profane level they may have opt to stop continuing the journey or go back to their own.
But in journeying with them and moving them to learn and listen to Gods message,
they may probably choose to search for more about the meaning of their lives.
Scriptures will really help them to grow more and acknowledge Gods presence in
every aspect of their lives.
What will be the move or the course of action to take in journeying with the
young is to get in touch with the gospel story happened on the road to Emmaus. The
series of events occurred in the story is the framework of journeying with the youth,
especially in the Philippines. This is concretized in an activity, designed to guide the
Filipino youth, called the Youth Encounter or Y.E. Each phase is essential in the journey
up to the point of letting them encounter Christ personally and making them
19
committed young Christians to always journey with the Lord Jesus Christ as they
continue to live in this world.
Most of us, especially young people, have been on the road to Emmaus and may
have experienced the journey of the two disciples in any other form. Some people are
very accustomed with that road. It signifies the road of disappointment, failure, sorrow,
grief, shattered dreams, etc. It is good to those who have someone with whom they can
share the story of their journey. Jesus invited the two disciples to talk about their
problems. With a simple, direct question, asked in a kindly manner, he got them to
open up. With the same gestures he showed in the breaking of the bread, they have
come to know that Jesus truly rose from death. In an instant, they decided to re-enter a
new chapter of their lives, a new life in Jesus.
20
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Baclig, Mario Antonio Villegas. Empowering Todays Youth: 3rd Millenium Youth Ministry,
A Compendium. Philippines: Salesians of Don Bosco, 2009.
Bahkou, Abjar. On the Road to Emmaus: Youth Devotional Journey through Christian Faith.
Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, 2010.
Boran, George. Youth Ministry That Works: Practical Ideas for Working with Young People.
Makati City: St. Pauls, 2001.
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.Catechism for Filipino Catholics: Third
Edition. Manila: ECCCE, 1998.
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.New National Catechetical Directory for
the Philippines. Manila: ECCCE, 2010.
Cornwell, Malcom. On the Way: Lukes Challenge to Compassionate Gospel Living.
The Emmanuel, Philippine Edition, Corpus Christi 2001.
Federation of Asian Bishops Conference Office of the Family and the Laity Youth
Desk.Youth Ministry in Asia: Reliving the Emmaus Story (2nd Bishops Institute for
Lay Apostolate, Malaysia).Taytay, Rizal: FABC-OLF-Youth Desk, 2008.
McCann-Erickson Philippines.2006 McCann Inter-generation Study:
Highlights.Manila: McCann-Erickson Philippines, 2006.
Youth Study
Ministry of Catechesis and Catholic Education.Antabay: Formation Module for Youth and
Adults. Archdiocese of Manila, Ministry for Youth Affairs, 2003.
Tuazon, Oliver M. ed. Back to the Basics: Fundamental Principles and Values for Nation
Building. Makati City: Universitas, 2005.
21
Secondary Sources:
McCann Worldgroup. The Truth About Youth (May 2011), http://www.iab.net/media/
file/TheTruthAboutYouthMcCannWorldgroup.pdf (accessed November 8,
2012).
Natividad, Jericho. Evangelizing the Young Through the Use of Stories.MST Review
13, no. 1 (2011): 27-58.
Patindol, Jeanette C. The Global Youth, The Filipino Youth: Choosing Reading
Materials Appropriate for the Times. Reading Association of the Philippines
Midyear Demofest, (October, 19-20, 2007), http://www.jeanettepatindol.com/
uploads/3/5/3/0/353097/choosing_appropriate_reading_materials.pdf
(accessed December 3, 2012).
Quevedo, Orlando B. Behold I Make All Things New, Message of the National
Pastoral
Consultation
on
Church
Renewal
(January
27,
2001)
http://cbcponline.net/v2/?p=461 (accessed December 3, 2012).