Giving Hope to the Young

In the Catholic Times  a parish priest in the Eyes of the Believer Column wants the young people to find hope in this post Corona world.

Corona 19 paralyzed even the functioning of universities. For sometime now, universities have changed from ivory towers to pursue learning and knowledge to preparation for employment. The romantic times once enjoyed on campus have disappeared.  

 

These days, the economic burden of soaring prices and interest rates is felt, the ‘1,000 won breakfast’ project, which provides a hearty meal for 1,000 won to students who often have to  skip breakfast, is gaining popularity. This project, led by the government, put forward the promotion of rice consumption culture and the reduction of students' food expenses as its motivation.  

 

However, it is questionable whether the youth's anxiety can be properly resolved without more thorough and fundamental measures. This is because the young people are suffering from unemployment, high housing costs, and inherited poverty that adversely affects marriage and childbirth.

 

The practice of love by the early Christians was voluntary and altruistic enough to help the socially disadvantaged and the poor. This practice of love gradually changed and brought about a reform of the times and came to create a new system. 

 

A restaurant for young people operated by a Diocese opened last month across from a National University. The use of the cafe is free, and the menu is kimchi stew, which costs 3,000 won for one meal. The young priest, who runs the restaurant through sponsorship without government support, has been diligently preparing for the past year by conducting on-the-job training at a youth restaurant in the metropolitan area and at a free soup kitchen according to the bishop's direction. 

 

'The Road Between the Youth Dining Table' aims for 'a path that connects people of different generations each going on their own life journey'. He hopes this restaurant would become a warm table and a road where the young generation and the older generation, who are struggling for various reasons, can come to understand each other in accordance with this year’s pastoral direction of the parish: "Practice of Love".

 

Pope Francis emphasizes 'a culture of encounter, a culture of dialogue, a culture of hospitality' and even a 'culture of caring' in this era. The 'culture of meeting', the exact opposite of the the throw away culture, is the only way the human family can move forward. This is a culture that respects diversity, looks to the future, and lives with transcendence.  

 

Therefore, following the example of Jesus, we must work  for this 'culture of encounter'. Not just to see, but to look closely, not just to hear, but to listen, not just to pass by people, but to stop and talk with them. It is not just to say, 'Pity the poor!' but to be willing to embrace them with compassion. You have to come close to your brothers, touch him, tell him, 'Don't cry,' and give them some words that will cheer them up. If not accompanied by an act of self-giving, money will be a condemnation, not  salvation. What today's economy, the poor and the young need above all is respect, humility, brotherhood and hope in life. Money comes next.

 

In a society where young people, the future of the society, do not have hope, they can no longer find hope to spread the wings of their dreams. The generation suffering the most from COVID-19 is the youth who will lead the future. The dark future, which shows no sign of improvement despite endless efforts, is not their responsibility, but the responsibility of all society. He applauds the enthusiastic young priest.