‘Relax, I’ve got it all under control’

Of course the entire TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) experience centers on the Paschal Mystery. And for our TEC movement we have been passing through a period of dying, after canceling the past two TEC weekends. But the wonderful thing is that we are beginning to rise again. Having received this issue of the SKR this weekend, please know that we are well into our TEC #26 weekend, once again moving more deeply into Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. A wonderful group of young people, through TEC, are encountering our risen Lord in a new and very special way.

In preparation for this TEC weekend, I have tried to spend extra time in prayer, asking for guidance. In a sense, I have been trying to die a little more to myself for the sake of others. Part of this has been to spend extra time in Adoration. A week ago Friday morning, I was in Adoration, and as I often do, I began running through my list of wants, needs, hopes, etc. for the TEC weekend. I once again was telling God what I wanted. About two minutes into this, I paused and the words, "Relax, I’ve got it all under control" came into my head. At that moment, I was able to enter into more of a state of listening.

Now for me, this can be a difficult task. I often have trouble shutting my brain off, and just listening. But for some reason, I was able to relax a little and know full well that God was in control and that, if everyone on this TEC weekend will open their minds and hearts to God then great things will happen. Thank you Lord for all that you bring to each of us.

As I mentioned, we do have a nice group of young people on this TEC. But, we too realize that there are many more youth in the diocese who have not responded. Once again, we have to step back and trust that God’s will is being done. With this, there is one recent example that stands out for.

A couple of weeks ago I traveled to one of our parishes and I spoke to the kids about TEC and our annual high school youth rally. Many of them knew me, as they had attended our summer camps over the years. Some were very open to both things, but one young man simply said that he would not go. As I heard him say this, I could only admire him for his honesty. Many young people would not have had the courage to say this. They would have said, "I will think about it," and then the moment I was gone, say "no." But he was open and honest. As disappointed as I was, I had to value his honesty and once again know that God will make good out of everything.

As I visited with these kids, I was invited to attend their basketball game the next night. So there I was sitting in the stands, watching this same young man who had told me "no" the night before play basketball. He is a good ball player. As I watched the team end up losing the game and this young man foul out, I had to think, would these players handle this adversity differently if they would attend a TEC weekend or a youth rally? I, of course, was letting my will get in the way of what may be God’s will. Remember, God has it all under control.

I am very proud of this young man for his honesty. But my hope for him and every youth of the diocese is for each of them to more fully realize that everything we have, everything that we are given is a gift from God. How can we become more aware of God’s presence in all things? I conclude with a quote from Blessed Mother Teresa, a quote that I hope will lead us and our young people more deeply into Christ’s Paschal Mystery and this Lenten season.

"To me Jesus is the Life I want to live, the Light I want to reflect, the Way to the Father, the Love I want to express, the Joy I want to share, the Peace I want to sow around me. Jesus is everything to me."