“Now what do we do?”
I am writing this column on the Wednesday in Holy Week. So please remember the context as you consider my thoughts.
I think Holy Saturday is very unique. Situated between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Holy Saturday almost seems a respite stuck between the violence and sadness of crucifixion and the glory of resurrection. A chance to catch one’s breath. Think of it as being between The Passion of the Christ and Seabiscuit. It is a space that provides an opportunity to recoup from the experience of death and chaos, in order to more fully enter into the celebration of new life and renewed hope.
The first apostles and followers of Jesus did not consider that first Holy Saturday to be very holy. They did not have the benefit of knowing that Easter invariably follows Good Friday, that resurrection follows crucifixion, unless, of course, they were paying very close attention to Jesus and truly grasped what he was saying about “in three days . . ..” That Saturday must have been such a lonely and depressing experience. I have this image of the apostles gathering together that day and someone asking that great question, “Now what do we do?”
Now that Jesus has been crucified, now that the political and religious authorities have re-established their control, and now that the followers have been dispersed, what do we do? I suspect this is a universal experience. Each of us has had those moments where the future was not at all clear, where life’s circumstances wear us down, and where we felt directionless. Though there are many variations, the question remains the same, now what do we do?
I sense that the Federation is in a similar situation. Our affiliated and collaborating members are confronted by significant challenges. We have been through eighteen months of winter where office closings, staff reductions, and budget cuts have dominated our conversation. We have experienced significant turnover among the diocesan directors. We said goodbye to long time colleagues— when we had the opportunity—and in our grief and anxiety, perhaps we wondered if our office was the next to experience sudden and painful changes. We asked the questions that have no acceptable answers— “How can a diocese close the office most involved with implementing the child protection policies? Is youth ministry a necessity or simply a luxury? When difficult decisions are being made, how come we are not in the discussion? How can the church reduce her commitment to the young church of today, knowing that the young are also the future?”
Institutionally, the recent economic issues have impacted the Federation as well, leading to difficult budget decisions about our services and programs. Ministerially, we continue to search for ways to engage the larger church about effective adolescent catechesis and faith formation. Advocacy has never been as challenging, or as important, as in the current church climate. Professionally, I find myself asking the question, “Now what do we do?”
However, I am grateful that Holy Saturday is short-lived. The evening does arrive, the vigil is celebrated, and Easter breaks through like the morning. And with that crossover into resurrection time, the question takes on a new slant. Now what do we do—once we are convinced that we are Easter people? What do we do once we fully understand that crucifixion did not work, that Friday was declared ‘Good,’ not because of what happened, but because of what did not happen—death did not win. Now what do we do as disciples of Jesus for whom death holds no power?
And as much as we profess this personally and communally, we have to believe it institutionally and ministerially. When we recall the commitment and passion of our predecessors and current colleagues—our communion of saints, when we step back and see the exciting developments in youth ministry these past twenty years, when we take stock of the renewed emphasis on ministerial competencies and certification, on evangelization and catechesis, and on justice and service, we are graced indeed.
The NFCYM now has 180 affiliated dioceses and 52 collaborating member organizations—both are record highs. Four more national organizations are applying for collaborating membership in January 2005. Something is bringing more and more ministry folks to the same table. I believe that despite the present stressors, our mission and our direction are sound and authentic. So, in this ‘in-between time,’ let us prayerfully consider as resurrection people, now what do we do? And move forward with hope renewed.