We know that Jesus had a passion, a passion for his ministry and mission on this earth. Jesus called each of the disciples to share in this passion. Did they always get it? Of course not; but when this happened, Jesus would simply tell another parable that got them back on the right track. And in the end they did share in his passion.

Of course everyone has a passion for something. It may be cooking, sporting events -- anything. A good example of this takes me back to my days when I was an assistant football coach in Pratt. Before every season the head football coach would take the coaches and their wives out for dinner. During the meal he would always offer this toast, "Good-bye dear, football is here." A very true statement, because as coaches we were busy seven days a week. This coach truly had a passion for coaching. I sense that we all can identify with this in some way regarding our own passions.

I wonder however, what would it be like if other people would come to share in our passions? Would we have greater success, enjoy it more, face less stress and simply find an overwhelming greater sense of peace in what we are doing? Ponder this for a moment. In our parishes we have DRE’s, youth ministers, principals, teachers and catechists, each having answered their baptismal call to serve in this ministry. They have a deep passion for their ministry. What would happen if more people began to share in their passion? Could it result in better youth ministry and religious formation programs? Would we see a new excitement growing in our young people regarding their journey of faith?

I began this column stating that some of my thoughts were based on frustrations. My reasoning is simple. I long for more people to share in my passion for better youth ministry in our diocese, greater attendance at events, making youth ministry and religious formation a priority instead of something that has to be done.

Allow me to share an example. We are in the process of preparing for another TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) weekend, Nov. 6 – 8 and our annual junior high youth rally, Nov. 13. As with each of the diocesan events, registration forms and brochures have been sent out for the rally. But so often it goes no further than someone saying, "I have the registration forms for this if you want to pick one up."

I am not convinced that efforts such as this are sharing in the passion. My hope would be that more energy and enthusiasm could be generated for inviting our young people to participate in parish and diocesan events and activities. Have I been guilty of doing this for something, of not having the energy needed to truly promote something? Of course I have. So with this column, I offer an invitation, but mostly a challenge to you and to me, that we begin to open our eyes to the passions of others, and through this, begin to share more deeply in their passion. If, as adults and parents, we become more open to this, then only greater things lie before us.

I believe that this story taken from, "Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks" written by Wayne Rice and published by "Youth Specialites" best sums up what I have tried to say. The story is entitled "Getting the Word Out."

"A legend recounts the return of Jesus to heaven after His time on earth. He returned bearing the marks of His earthly pilgrimage with its cruel cross and shameful death. The angel Gabriel approached Him and said, ‘Master, You must have suffered terribly for people down there.’

"‘I did,’ said Jesus.

"‘And,’ continued Gabriel, ‘do they now know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?’

"‘Oh, no,’ said Jesus. ‘Not yet. Right now, only a handful of people in Palestine know.’

"Gabriel was perplexed. ‘Then what have You done,’ he asked, ‘to let all people know about Your love for them?’

"Well, I’ve asked Peter, James, John, and a few others to tell people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell others, and the Gospel will be spread to the farthest reaches of the globe. Ultimately, all of humankind will hear about Me and what I have done on their behalf.’

"Gabriel frowned and looked skeptical. He knew that people weren’t dependable. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? And what if, way down in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, people get too busy to bother telling others about You? Haven’t you made any other plans?’

"‘No, I’ve made no other plans, Gabriel,’ Jesus answered. ‘I’m counting on them.’"