Tom Musgrave November 1996

What grade was it that you were first introduced to potential energy and kinetic energy? Was it third grade, fifth grade, eighth grade??? Who even remembers and why is it even important? For some reason I often think of this when I hear someone say that the youth are the future church, or I read that the young people are the future of America. For some off the wall reason, I, in my warped way of thinking, equate these statements to the scientific properties of kinetic energy, that is energy in motion, and potential energy, that is energy in a motionless state. (This is the most simplified explanation of these two forms of energy that you will ever see, and I am not even sure if my understanding is correct ... however, using the privilege of being the author of this piece I will continue). I get real hung up when I get the impression from someone that the youth of today, (youth being a relative term meaning anyone younger than me!), are something that will be of value in the future, will come to importance as time passes, are like energy sitting there motionless but with potential; well, lets just say I disagree with any hint of those notions.

Youth of today, you are not merely the church of tomorrow, you are the young church of today. You are not merely the future, you are the present. You are not merely potential energy, you are kinetic energy and we as Church need your energy, your vitality, your unblemished wisdom. (So ok, I'm standing on my soap box now, but I feel very strongly about this!). I pray that you take ownership of your role, of your call to be who you are at the present.

To own and fulfill your roll as viable members of the church I feel you must first have a clear understanding of what church is, and there is no way that I will do justice to that subject in this short space, but as a starter, church is people. Sons and daughters of God, all of us, no matter what size, shape, or color. Doing something for the church and being active in the church does not just mean that we do things within the confines of our parish or the church building. The true Church, in my opinion, lies within each one of us and is all of us in union. When one of us hurt, we all hurt. When one of us lose heart we all feel some loss. When one of us reach out to others, we all gain by the charity given.

Are you still with me so far? Am I making any sense? Well, there is a first time for everything if in fact I am!
What I am trying to say is this; as you struggle with who you are, struggle with all the decisions that you are faced with concerning your future, struggle with friendships and relationships and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, struggle with the feeling that you are on the back burner of life waiting to get on the big burner --- please remember that God has a plan for you, not just for the future, but for RIGHT NOW! Enjoy that life that is right here, right now and be the church that you are called to be right here and right now. The present moment is really all that we have and we are called to live it the best we can, to be Christ to others even in our imperfection.

I can say very truthfully that my life has been deeply enriched by the presence of Christ shared through all of the "young people" -- YOU -- that I have been blessed to come to know through SEARCH. Thank you for being kinetic energy in the realm of Church.
Peace -- Tom Musgrave