Follow: Becoming Lovers Of Tomorrow

Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must

deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. - Luke 9:23
This statement of Jesus is so deep to be discussed with the young
people. They will find it hard to absorb. They will find it difficult to
understand. After all, they dont want to entertain words such as
burden, cross, problems since they want to escape it in the first place.
They just want to have fun, enjoy life as best as they could. This is the
YOLO (You Only Live Once) generation.
There are young people who dont want to talk about or get
involved in religious works and join church activities. Some think its a
waste of time, an unproductive event or simply, they just dont have
interest in it.
Its boring.
Theres too much pressure.
Theres the bad attitude/reputation of a religious person
(priests/nuns).
Doubt in the religion itself.
They dont understand anything about the church.
And many more.
What if the church:
Isnt boring after all?

Theres actually freedom in the church?

There are more priests who are good?
Is the ultimate reality youll have to face?
Isnt hard to understand?
Would they still follow Jesus? Would they still open their lives to
his tremendous, overflowing and abundant love?
We should know why it is so important to follow Jesus. We should
know why it is important to know Him better.
WHY?
Why is it so important to follow Jesus? Why is it so essential to
know Him more especially in these modern times?
The answer is simple: Its because this WORLD does NEED
another ORGANIZATION, another CHURCH, and another IMAGE to
follow. This WORLD simply needs another LOVER.
Our world is already in chaos as you are constantly hearing and
seeing in the news. Its as if this world has lost its hope to become a
better place for the younger generation. In the Christian point of view,
LOVING is the only way to solve any crisis, in all aspects.
The ultimate example of LOVE is no other than JESUS. He is the
LOVE of GOD who became man. If theres one person that we should
take as our role model for giving LOVE, its no other than the source of
LOVE Himself. He is the perfection of Gods love. Thats why HE should
be the focus of our attention.

The young people should be the next LOVER of the next

generation. Planting the seed of LOVE in their hearts is the key that will
change this country, this world and make it a better place, a place filled
with peace.
Its not impossible. It will happen. Maybe not now, but surely, itll
be in the right time. Kung si Lola Nidora pa, SA TAMANG PANAHON.
HOW?
This is a bigger concern. Its easy to say words that are full of
hope. Its easy to make sugar coated statements. Its easy to invent new
stories to stir the emotions but whats next?
Yes, Jesus is the ultimate example of LOVE and we want to be the
next LOVER to give hope to the future and so we are called to follow
Him.
But how in the world are we going to do it?
We dont have anything.
We are weak.
We fall from sins.
We are neglected.
We are poor.
We dont have talents.
We are being discriminated.
We dont even know where to start.

Would you be surprised if youre told that God already knows all
these things about us? But still He wants to call us His new breed of
LOVERS.
Following Jesus is no simple task especially for the young ones but
heres the twist:
He will provide all the things that we need.
He will make us strong in our weakness.
He will forgive our sins.
He will embrace us.
He will make us rich.
He will make our talents come out.
He will accept us.
And He will guide us.
Theres no need to be afraid. He has done it and He will do it
again. So dont be afraid to become another LOVER for Christ. Dont be
afraid to FOLLOW HIM. For He says: I am the way, the truth and the
life(John 14:6)
The Word Follow
This word actually has two meanings.
1. Follow which is defined as going somewhere the leader
goes.
2. And Follow which is also defined as mimicking somebody,
doing what he does, what he says, what he thinks.

If these words are understood very well, then its easier to follow
Jesus. Although both definitions of the word are essential, the second
one holds more importance.
The first definition, going where the leader goes simply means if
Jesus has undergone suffering, we are expected to suffer, humiliated,
hurt and its real because thats the side effect of LOVING. There will
always be PAIN. But the LOVE that Jesus has soothing effect, youll be in
pain, you will cry but as long as you hold on to Him knowing that He has
been there, you will be healed.
The second definition which is mimicking the person has a deeper
implication. Its easy to follow Jesuss direction. You can go to church,
you can attend prayer meetings (or a gathering like this), you can even
do charitable deeds etc. But the question is, is that whats in you? Did
you really come here because you want it or is it because somebody
just told you to come (or else your grades will be affected)?
We are called to follow Jesus intentions when we do the right
thing. This means that whatever we do, from small to big things, it
should be motivated, empowered and for the purpose of LOVING. Only
then will we be able to fully become LOVERS of the new generation.
And to help you start with this new mission, here is a starting kit
for our mission to become followers of Christ and become LOVERS of
the world.
Starting Kit For Following Jesus

F Have FAITH. You cant follow strangers. You cant follow persons
you dont know. Its essential that before you follow JESUS, you must
believe in HIM first. You cant give what you dont have. If you dont

believe in JESUS, that He is GODs love personified, how then will you
become a LOVER of this new world.

O OBEY. Its the basic attitude for the younger generation. Always
obey as long as you know that it is for the better. Dont be blinded by
abuse, always think before you move. Obedience will bring forth
blessings to your life. Obey your mother and father. If the prophets or
even Jesus didnt obey God, we wouldnt have been saved.

L LEARN. You go to school to learn. You study each subject to train

your minds and apply it in the future. Same is true with following Jesus.
You cant mimic His ways if you dont know Him and the only way to do
this is through the Sacred Scriptures, through the Holy Mass and
through gatherings like this one.

L LISTEN. Listen to Gods voice. Dont misunderstand this. Dont

expect that God will speak in your ear and hear a mystical voice just like
during Jesus baptism. You will hear Him through your heart. He will
speak to you through other people. You will hear Him through your
friends, teachers, parents and other people who love you. You only
have to listen and you will realize a lot of things.

O Be OPEN. Open what? Open your heart to His calling. Practice

makes permanent. Your heart will be opened only through constant
conversation with God and that is through prayer. The more you open
yourself to His presence, the more He will speak to you. As a result, you
will develop a personal relationship with Him and He will reveal more.

W WALK. This is a figurative term. This means that if you want to

follow Jesus, you dont stay in one place. You move. You make an

effort. You do your part. You take action. Dont be mesmerized by the
words you have heard. Dont let it stay in your hearts and in your
emotions. Whats important is that once you go home, you do your part
in become this worlds another LOVER.
Lastly, Jesus said, take up your cross. The journey to this mission,
following Jesus isnt purely fun. There will be struggles, there will be
problems, there will be obstacles, there will be negative thoughts and
events, you will FALL, you will FAIL, and nothing will change, except for
one thing your disposition.
Yes, you will have problems and storms in life and as you grow, it will
become greater and more intense but the difference is that now, you
already know that you have somebody to help you. You now know that
Jesus is there guiding you and leading you to the right path.
Dont be afraid. Follow the right path. This world doesnt need
soldiers and warriors. This world simply needs LOVE. So, with what
you have learned, be free. Become LOVERS of TOMORROW.
In Jesus name, AMEN.

Activity;
Let them get a piece of paper.
Let them write down their greatest dream but at the end of their
statement, let them write I will be the worlds next LOVER.
Then let make paper planes.
Then allow them to throw the paper planes while the music plays.