I remember way back in the late 1970’s doing a retreat at CYO camp in Occidental and a high school senior telling me that everyone in her school knew she didn’t drink, do drugs or have sex. I can’t remember the exact conversation, but I do remember her confidence in the way she chose to live. She was a popular student too, but she was “out of the mainstream” according to some.
In many ways, she was like John the Baptist, “a voice crying out in the desert.” John, like many religious leaders through history, removed himself from society’s mainstream to proclaim a different message—a message that wasn’t popular, but was good for the people. “Change your lives,” he was calling out, “You’re on the wrong paths, even though it doesn’t seem like it and even though, those paths are leading you away from God.” Today in 2024, just like in John’s time, there are a lot of paths out there. And many paths that are promoted for young people (and old) just lead us away from God. Drug and alcohol use…artificial intelligence…social media that encourages the superficiality of relationships, etc. Those are a few paths some people promote or accept. Each one can lead to what seems like good things at first. But eventually, these paths lead to dead ends like broken relationships, single parenthood, addiction, violence, or suicide. God wants so much more for you. So, God has sent you people like John the Baptist. People that can live happy and healthy lives while changing the world. People who will point you to paths that will lead you to be all that God knows you can, if you watch or listen to them. The young lady I spoke about was such a voice. I have no idea how many people she influenced, but I do know she was proud of her values. They helped her build strong self-esteem.
Can you be a voice in the wilderness this Advent by showing your peers the path to God? If not, can you listen closely this Advent for the voices pointing out new paths for you? This weekend, we will be exploring new paths with our Confirmation candidates on our annual retreat. May these paths lead us all to the little town of Bethlehem to our newborn Savior.