Flame 2012...

This week I went to the Flame Congress at Wembley Arena with 8,500 other young people. The size of the event alone was enough to inspire any young catholic and make them realise we are not alone in their faith. The music and production was fantastic and got everyone on their feet. The highlight for me was the inspirational testimonies given by so many believers.


There was a heavy emphasis on sport and although there are some shared values I felt that some speakers were afraid to mention God, even in front of 8,500 young Catholics, which just shows how anti-faith our country is becoming that people are afraid of persecution in every environment. This made the testimonies by Stef Reid and Debbie Floor even more amazing. Stef Reid spoke about her tragic accident when she was young and how it opened her up to ask God what his plan is for her. She is now a paralympic world record holder and a great hope for the British team this summer. She invited all of us present to ask God what his plan is for us and reminded us that our God is a mighty God, even when we can't see the bigger picture he can and we have to put our trust in him. It really helped me to put my life into Gods hands and not stress about the future, God knew us before we were born and we know he will look after us so we have no need to worry. Matthew tells us in Chapter 6, Verses 33-34:

'Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'

The Mizen families emotional testimony was a great example of how a belief in the power of the Holy Spirit can help you through even the most tragic events in life. This was very well complimented by a group of young people from Gorton, Manchester who are using music to motivate young people and keep them out of trouble. Using their talents for positive results and not negative.

MC David Wells spoke very well, he told us that our generation is too quickly judged, God doesn't produce rubbish, we aren't useless, we aren't lazy, we aren't forgotten, we aren't unloved. His words were very powerful, then he proved that we can always achieve our goals by fulfilling his ambition of taking part in a Glee medley.

Sr Catherine Golum was infectious in her love for Jesus, she was a champion speed skater for America before she was called to live a life for God. The crowd were whipped into a frenzy by her words and it led to a spontaneous chant of JESUS, JESUS, JESUS by all 8,500 present.

It was a fantastic day that left all who attended feeling full of the joy of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Brilliant event organised very well by the team behind the scenes. May god bless you all with his abundant love.


YCM

Crisis of faith..

Having beliefs is hard, very hard. It's very easy to see why we try to surround ourselves with people who have much in common with us. I was speaking to someone recently who has moved to the area to study, he asked where he could meet young catholics. I recommended a few local events and groups and it made me think about his logic. Its much easier to be around people who agree with us, but does it strengthen or diminish our faith. Should I go away and live in a community detached from the world or shout bible verses in the street?

I'm attending Flame in London this weekend and I know before opening my mouth that most of the people I talk to will be Catholics, the fact they are attending a conference means they are active within their faith on some level. This will most probably fill me with the joy of the holy spirit and top up my faith and help me to be strong. If my life was like that all the time it would not give me the chance to live my life through adversity. I've recently had a few heated discussions with an atheist friend, I work with non-believers and after posting on a channel 4 page about Saints I received many replies questioning my religion. I didn't create my church, I'm don't decide it's teachings, but because I'm a Catholic I get attacked for my beliefs. It's much easier to follow the crowd, nod and agree your way through life without confrontation. But I don't, I stand up for my beliefs, I protect the teachings of my church and I'm criticized for my opinions. It can feel very lonely and can make you start to look at your own beliefs through the eyes of those that criticize. We have to live our life like Jesus even when we can't feel His love. That's why I started this post with John 3:16, a verse that is overused because of it's power but can help each one of us when we need strength.

But if life was easy all the time then I wouldn't need Jesus, if everyone agreed with me then I could not be as much of a witness to my faith. Everyone who is strong in their beliefs is open for attack, that includes all religions and atheists. But it is very draining to think you are alone, to have your fundamentals challenged constantly, we need topping up, we need support from our peers.

My faith is strong because I share my life with believers, but it is stronger because I live my faith surrounded by non-believers. Only then can Jesus see we are true to Him and doing what we can to spread his love.

YCM

Can you be a good Catholic without attending mass?

My initial response to this question is no! I've met a couple of baptised catholics recently who say they lead good lives but do not have time for mass in their lives. Believers who are not willing to commit time to attending mass on a Sunday. I can totally understand why, mass can be very boring to those who do not feel God in their lives. If you are not asking to be moved by the holy spirit you are sitting in a large room with people reciting age old prayers. It why atheists can't understand why anyone would submit themselves to the control of a Church and be restricted by its rules. If you are outside looking in then catholicism is restrictive, but when you are inside looking out it is one of the most liberating experiences you can have.

I think that you can be a good person without going to mass, people of all backgrounds and religions can be good people, great people. Loving, humble and generous people. But Holy Mass must be at the center of your faith if you want to practice catholicism. I used to believe a practicing catholic was someone who went to mass every Sunday. I now believe this is the absolute minimum that is expected and that if you do not actively participate in your faith in some form on a daily basis then you are not growing and living your life for Christ. When you do start the give more to your faith you will be showered with blessings and feel the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Once this relationship starts to grow you will wonder how you ever lived your life without faith.

If you want to be a good catholic you must center your life around prayer, charity, fasting and Jesus Christ made present the world over ever second through the miracle of Holy Mass.

God Bless

YCM