Jambo Youth Issue 81

Valentine's Story

Last Drop Spreading of Good News A Catholic lawyer visited his non-Catholic partner of 20 years, who was dying in the hospital. “Now that you are dying, don’t you think you should embrace faith?” The non-Catholic answered, “If your faith meant so little to you in life that you never spoke of it during these past 20 years, then it can mean little at my death.” 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) 2009

An Initiative of Jesus Youth A Missionary Movement at the Service of the Church

February 8, Sunday: Issue 81

Don Bosco Utume

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

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RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.

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Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law! Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers. One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death. I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine." I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

Pep-up The Young and the Bible Points to Ponder Saint of the Week Reflection Last Drop

: Stories for Reflection : II Timothy : Heaven: Latest Travel Information : St. Valentine : Valentine's Story : Spreading of Good News

YOURS FAITHFULLY To Jesus, Carpenter’s Shop Nazareth

It is our opinion that the twelve men you have picked up to manage your new organization lack the background, educational and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel it our duty to tell you that Mathew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus have radical leanings, and both registered high on the manic-depressive scale. One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, has a keen business mind and contacts in high places. He is highly motivated and ambitious. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man Yours Faithfully Jordan Management Consultants Jerusalem {Quoted from Reader’s Digest Oct.1989 p.48}

“God does not judge as man judges, humans see with the eyes; God sees the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7b)

www.jesusyouth.org Editor: Shyjan Sdb

Jambo You(th) 2009

The Young and the Bible

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Pauline Year Special The Second Letter of Paul to Timothy

1. Which are the letters known as Pastoral Epistles? The Letters to Timothy and Titus 2. Where was the second letter to Timothy thought to have been written? The prison in Rome 3. Who was the grand mother of Timothy? Lois (1:5) 4. What is the name of Timothy’s mother? Eunice (1:5) 5. What should Timothy do with the gift of God that is within him through the laying on of Paul’s hands? He should rekindle it (1:6) 6. What kind of a Spirit did God give us? Not a Spirit of cowardice, but a Spirit of power , love and of self discipline (1:7) 7. What should Timothy be not ashamed of? Of the testimony about our Lord or of Paul suffering in prison (1:8) 8. For which Gospel was Paul appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher? The Gospel of Jesus Christ who abolished death and brought life and immortality through the Gospel (1:10-11) 9. Who among the Asians consoled Paul? The household of Onesiphorus (1:16) 10. Who ought to have the first share of the crops? The farmer who does the work (2:6) 11. What was Paul chained like a criminal for? For the sake of the Gospel (2:9) 12. What is not chained according to Paul? The word of God (2:9) 13. “This saying is true” What is that? “If we have died with him, we will also live with him, if we endure, we will also reign with him, if we deny him, he will also deny us.” (2:11-12) 14. What does Paul say about wrangling over words? Wrangling over words does no good but ruins those who are listening (2:14) 15. Where does profane chatter lead to? More and more impiety (2:16) 16. What should those who call upon the name of the Lord do? Turn away from wickedness (2:19) 17. What will those who cleanse themselves from wickedness become? Special utensils ready for good work (2:21) 18. What should one pursue shunning youthful passions? Righteousness, faith, love and peace (2:22) 19. What breeds quarrels? Stupid and senseless controversies (2:23) 20. What is inspired by God? All Scripture (3:16)

Rain does not fall on one roof alone. Cameroonian Proverb www.jamboyouth.multiply.com

Jambo You(th) 2009

HEAVEN – Latest Travel Information ACCOMMODATON: Arrangements for 1st class accommodation have been made in advance Jn 14,2 PASSPORTS Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority. Re 21,27 TICKETS Your ticket is a written pledge that guarantees your journey. It should be claimed and its promises kept firmly in mind. Jn 5,24 CUSTOMS Only one declaration is required while going through the customs. I Cor 15:1,3,4 IMMIGRATION All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking up permanent residence in a new country. The quota is unlimited. Heb 11,16 LUGGAGE No luggage whatsoever can be taken. I Tim 6,7 AIR PASSAGE Travelers going directly by air are advised to watch daily for indications of imminent departure. I Thess 4,17 VACCINATION Injections are not needed as diseases are unknown at the destination. Rev 21,4 DEPARTURE The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be prepared to leave at short notice. Acts 1,7

SAINT for the WEEK February 14 St. Valentine Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs during the persecution under Claudius II. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't work, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269]. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epileptic, those who faint, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures by birds and roses.

He who asks questions, cannot avoid the answers. Cameroonian Proverb www.esnips.com/web/JamboYouth

Jambo You(th) 2009