Jambo Youth Issue 44

Devil’s Beatitudes (If the devil were to write his beatitudes, tit would go something like what follows ;) Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour with fellow Christians; they are my best workers. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expected to be thanked; I can use them. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church; they are my missionaries. Blessed are the trouble makers; they shall be called my children. Blessed are the complainers; I’m all ears to them. Blessed are those who are bored with the pastors mannerisms and mistakes; for they get nothing out of their sermons. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church; for he is a part of the problem, instead of the solution. Blessed are those who gossip; for they shall cause strife and division that pleases me. Blessed are those who are easily offended; for they soon get angry and quit. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God’s work; for they are my helpers. Blessed are those who profess to love God but hates his brother and sister; for they shall be with me forever Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not yourself; I’ve got you too.

Last Drop It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor Theodore Roosevelt defeat. NB: Send your questions, comments or feedback to [email protected] For further information and back issues of Jambo You(th) please check on our website: www.jamboyouth.multiply.com For Jambo You(th) in PDF log on to www.esnips.com/web/JamboYouth

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Jambo You(th) 2007 Editors: Anastasio Sdb & Shyjan Sdb

Don Bosco Utume • •

October 28, Sunday: Issue 44

Jambo You(th) is a weekly news letter aimed at helping the Youth in moulding their daily lives in Christ. Our vision is expressed in just two phrases: GOOD CHRISTIANS and RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.

Pep-up To the Young Words of Wisdom Saint of the Week Think About it Last Drop

Features : Stories for Reflection : Papal Message : Attitude Determines Attitude : St. Marcellus the Centurion : Devil’s Beatitudes : Success

No More Meanness! It was parent night at the end of our week of Vacation Bible School at the Sweet Fellowship Baptist Church. After much practice, each child's group was prepared to act out for the parents a dramatic presentation of a Bible story. One group consisted of four lively five-year-old boys prepared to act out the story of Moses and the Hebrew slaves leaving Egypt. Wielding their plastic swords, the boys especially liked playing the mean Pharaoh and his army who would not let the people go. At the appropriate time, I nudged our Moses to stand before Pharaoh and say, "Pharaoh, the slaves are all tired and they don't want you bossing them around anymore. Let the people go!" Pharaoh, sitting on his throne and twirling his plastic swords, responded—with prompting— "Never, never, never!" Young Moses then left the room only to return within seconds. Once again, he approached Pharaoh: "Pharaoh, my people are really tired of being beaten up. Now will you let the people go?" Once again, I whispered into our Pharaoh's ear: "Say ‘Never, never, never.'" But Pharaoh had had enough. He jumped down from his throne and said, "I don't want to be mean anymore. All of you can go! Just go! You can all go home now." Then he threw his sword on the floor and walked off with his arm draped around Moses. Has the world grown tired of being mean? Can we listen with our hearts and be at peace? If we adults all took the time to listen, really listen, might we not also really hear and decide to let go of our own meanness? Nancy Hastings www.esnips.com/web/JamboYouth

Jambo You(th) 2007

Pope Speaks to Young People

Attitude Determines Attitude

Dear young people, I am happy to meet you in this remarkable place, on this special evening, rich in prayer, song, periods of silence, full of hope and profound emotion. Whatever the reason that drew you here, I can tell you, although it requires courage to say it, that it was the Holy Spirit who has brought us together. Yes, that is exactly the case; the Spirit has led you here; you have come here with your doubts and certainties, with your joys and your anxieties. It is now up to all of us, to all of you, to open your hearts and offer everything to Jesus.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free. Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste. Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive. Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born. Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses. Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships. Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new titbits of knowledge. Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul. Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Say to him: here I am; of course, I am not yet as you would like me to be, I cannot even manage to understand myself fully but with your help I am ready to follow you. Lord Jesus, this evening I would like to speak to you, making my own the inner attitude and trusting abandonment of that young woman who, 2000 years ago, said her "yes" to the Father who chose her to be your Mother. The Father chose her because she was docile and obedient to his will. Like her, like little Mary, each one of you, dear young friends, should say to God with faith: "Here I am; let it be done to me according to your word". With love and conviction, I repeat to you young people present here, and through you to your peers throughout the world: Do not be afraid, Christ can fill your heart's deepest aspirations! Are there dreams that cannot come true when it is God's Spirit who inspires and nourishes them in your heart? Christ has confidence in you and wants you to be able to realize all your most noble and lofty dreams of genuine happiness. Nothing is impossible for those who trust in God and entrust themselves to him.

SAINT for the WEEK

Excerpt From: Pope's Address at Prayer Vigil in Loreto Italy 13th Sept, 2007

October 30 St. Marcellus the Centurion. St. Marcellus is perhaps the most distinguished recorded case of someone who refused to continue to serve in the Roman army because of his adhesion to Christ. Two separate accounts ("Acts") of his martyrdom have survived, though it is not clear whether it took place in Leon in Northern Spain or at Tangiers on the North African coast. During the birthday celebrations for the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian on July 21st., 298 A.D, Marcellus "a regular centurion, first class" threw away his arms and badge of allegiance in front of his legion's banner' saying: "I am a soldier of Jesus Christ the eternal King. From now on I cease to serve your emperors and I despise the worship of your gods of wood and stone, for they are deaf and dumb images". The local governor, Fortunatus, clearly regarded Marcellus as temporarily deranged, and wanted to hide what had happened from higher authority, but could not. On the day of his death, Marcellus' case was read out before the prefect Agricolanus; Marcellus made things even clearer by saying then that it is not fitting for a Christian to fight for the armies of this world. He was duly sentenced to be put to death by the sword, and left the judgement hall saying: "Agricolanus, may God reward you". Persecution of Christians by Roman Emperors was often for the very reason that they were suspected of being unwilling to fight in the imperial armies.

If you do not desire much, little will seem much to you (Democritus)

Some People fall for everything and stand for nothing.

Look at the young Mary; the Angel proposed something truly inconceivable to her: participation, in the most involving way possible, in the greatest of God's plans, the salvation of humanity. Facing this proposal, Mary, as we heard in the Gospel, was distressed for she realized the smallness of her being before the omnipotence of God; and she asked herself: "How is it possible? Why should it be me?". Yet, ready to do the divine will, she promptly said her "yes" which changed her life and the history of all humanity. It is also thanks to her "yes" that we are meeting here this evening. Dear young people, if the Lord calls you to live more intimately at his service, respond generously. You may be certain: life dedicated to God is never spent in vain.

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Jambo You(th) 2007

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Jambo You(th) 2007