I spent a long weekend in Atlanta, taking some of our youth to the National Catholic Youth Conference. Together, we were 21 (youth + adults) in a sea of 20,000 Catholics! What an awesome experience to see the young church pray and worship together.
I know a lot of my friends have different beliefs, whether Christian or not-- to me it doesn't matter. It's the light in your soul that matters, and that light that encourages you to do great works for others. To me... that's what matters, and that's what I felt and learned this past weekend.
I have a passion for service... many of you know that, and I know it's a strong gift God has blessed me to have and has guided me to use well. The heart of the conference was about service... that faith, without works, is dead. I saw that we ought to praise God above all things, but that praise comes with living the life of worthy deeds, forgiveness, and simplicity.
Recently, I had a discussion with a friend who really didn't think that one person can change the world. It was disheartening to here her say that... it seemed so cynical to me. She said there are things we can't change, quoting the Serenity Prayer:
GOD, grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,
Courage to change the
things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference.
to accept the things
I cannot change,
Courage to change the
things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference.
One example she said that's in the news recently: high gas prices. We can't do anything about them. We need gas, and we'll have to pay high prices in spite of it all.
Maybe I'm more of an optimist, but I do believe one person can change the world. Sometimes it's hard to believe it... but then again, but I do firmly believe that one person can change the world, just as one strike of a match can start a wildfire smoldering thousands of acres.
My perfect example... the late Rosa Parks, who our nation is honoring this week. Her simple refusal to give up her seat gave birth to a civil rights movement that changed America. She ignited a catalyst for social change in our nation never seen before... and she was one person.
What would have happened had she not done what she did? Would we still have segregation? Would the voting rights of minorities and their civil rights not be protected now?
Maybe yes, or maybe no. She may have ignited the struggle, or some might argue that the civil rights movement may have happened anyway. My point, though, is that the civil rights I and many other minorities have today are the result of a movement that was born one day when an African American seamstress refused to give up her seat because of a stupid law. She may not have thought it would've led to where we are now, but yes she was one person who changed the world.
My prayer for all of you this week are some lyrics of the theme song from NCYC, Winds of Change:
Winds of Change,
aliento de Dios, (breath of God)
cambia nuestro corazon (change our heart)
Fan the Flame
el fuego de tu amor (the fire of your love)
breathe in us the winds of change.
So, my friends, consider the winds of change that you can start in our world. Will you be that one striking match that can light the world on fire for the better?