Dissatisfaction can turn into determination to make the world — and ourselves — better
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Do you experience any dissatisfaction as you look around at the way culture celebrates Christmas — or as you look within at your own preparations?
I want to encourage all of us — but especially the young Church, our youth — to take note of those places of dissatisfaction. I make this appeal especially to the young Church for two reasons.
First, because at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, during a live conversation with the Holy Father, one of the young participants asked, “How is the Church preparing for the future?” I want to turn that question around: You, the youth, are the young Church! What are you doing to prepare for the future?
Dissatisfaction is one of the natural strengths of youth — seeing that the world isn’t what it could be. That dissatisfaction becomes a poison when it turns toward despair (the belief that the world can never be better) or acedia (the lack of motivation to make it better). But dissatisfaction can also turn into determination to make the world better than it is — and the strength of the determination is usually proportionate to the strength of the dissatisfaction. So I say to all of us, but especially to the young Church: Don’t rush past those places of dissatisfaction. Take note of them, take notes on them and draw strength from them as you think about how to make your lives a deeper response to God.
The second reason I speak especially to the young Church is simple: because Mary was a teenager when she became the mother of God. In a stirring homily, reflecting on the pause between Gabriel’s annunciation and Mary’s yes, St. Bernard of Clairvaux cries to Mary from his heart: “Adam asks this of you… Abraham asks this of you.. David and all the great figures of salvation history ask it!” In short, all the elders of the faith are waiting on the “yes” of a teenager to God’s plan.
But don’t miss this key: History is not waiting on a deeper “no” to culture. History pivots on a deeper “yes” to God. The annunciation is, first, an event in salvation history. But it’s also the revelation of one of the fundamental patterns of discipleship. As one of the great spiritual writers said: The most fruitful human activity is to receive the love of God.
So, do you notice that Christmas advertising and music and decorations started too early? Then develop a deeper patience in yourself. Do you notice that Christmas lawn ornaments are becoming too numerous and have nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas? Then develop greater simplicity and a deeper connection to Christ in yourself. What other things do you notice? Take note, and take notes, and develop a deeper response.
If this is a special appeal to the young Church, it’s also truly an appeal to all of us. Notice the places of dissatisfaction. They’re an indication, built into us, that we were made for more and the world was made for more. Just let that dissatisfaction find its proper pivot: not into cynicism, but — like Mary — into a deeper “yes” to God.
