Bishops as Shepherds, in Youth Ministry (Good Shepherd – conclusion)
August 26, 2017. I must say it was a red-letter day, for me at least. Two significant events, all in one day. Linking both is something about two men of the cloth: Filipino Catholic bishops.
No Time to Waste, and We Just Can’t Wait
Once again I sit multitasking at my office desk. Which necessarily includes going over my FB News Feed, even just in the “background.” But suddenly, I am completely stalled. No, not again — I think to myself. I am stopped and stuck in my tracks, in a state of shock, sadness, and anger. Another teenager has been killed. I don’t even need to go to further details…
Images of a Good Shepherd
The accompanying photo for this blog post is that of a wood carving depicting the Good Shepherd. I received it as a souvenir, back in 2008 during our congregation’s 26th General Chapter in Rome. It’s actually from the Holy Land, carved out of olive wood. However (from the aesthetic point of view), it didn’t really strike me then. In fact, even until now. Nevertheless, for some strange reason, I still keep this wood carving with me.
Of Mentors and Students (Silence, and My Own Struggles – conclusion)
Here’s my take on Silence using the youth ministry lens: It strikes me that the young Jesuit priests Rodrigues (portrayed by Andrew Garfield) and Garupe (Adam Driver) were both students of Ferreira (Liam Neeson). Their determination to go and search for him, despite the threat of persecution and death (shown in the introductory scenes when the two were discussing plans with their superior), and then the crucial, face-to-face confrontation between Rodrigues and Ferreira later, were two pivotal and potent moments.
