I am sure many of us have heard of the recent surge in interest in the Catholic faith throughout the US. Here in Boston, the archdiocese is reporting that the number of young adults being baptized and confirmed has more than doubled since 2023. And that is something for all of us to celebrate. But I fear this positive development needs to be tempered with some less positive news. I read recently a 2026 report which stated that many adults under 35 are today experiencing a profound "confidence crisis." Many report high levels of emotional distress and suffering, self-loathing, harsh internal criticism, feelings of worthlessness and immense loneliness. These negative emotions are particularly felt by the Gen Z generation, those today who are 18 to 29 years old. The root causes for these phenomena are for others to explore, but we can be certain that economic instability, the rise of digital echo chambers, those lost COVID years, and our various global problems play a part. Add to this the growing concerns over AI and job security, and we cannot be surprised that our young adults feel lost, fearful and alone. But into today’s challenging time, we have all been placed to bring good news, for we are the carriers of very good news.
Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and we are invited to explore, experience and acknowledge our place within this mystery. For we live our life of faith within the mystery of the triune God who is immediate and present to us all the time. For many, this God appears far away or even absent, yet in truth God is so very close and He tells us that repeatedly despite our deafness. In our first reading, the newly freed Israelites had already lost their way. They fashioned the golden calf before which Aaron built an altar. On seeing this, Moses in his anger broke the two stone tablets but now he returns to the Lord on Mount Sinai. Perhaps Moses was expecting severe punishment on all the Israelites but instead we hear the LORD describe himself as a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. For God’s justice is tempered with mercy and kindness.
Who do we know that is unnecessarily harsh on themselves, unforgiving, experiencing self-loathing? Who do we know that is saddened by their life choices, who needs to hear this truth about God? That God does not pull away but remains devoted to our well being.
And it is Jesus, the Son, who demonstrates this living word of God. We heard in our Gospel that, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” That is God’s mission – to offer eternal life to all. This is the mission accepted by the Son. And this is our mission as well. In faith, we acknowledge the significance of this in our own lives while placing our arm around those that fail to see this clearly. Jesus did not reject those who would hate him, insult him, as we would likely do. Rather in obedience to the Father, the Son hands himself over to sinners so all can gain eternal life. As Jesus laid down his life, we are drawn deeper into the mystery of trinity, by better understanding what real love is and what self-giving love looks like.
Who do we know that needs to hear that life can be lived so radically differently from the life script dictated to us by the loud, deaf and blind? Who is it that needs to hear that in losing something of ourselves by way of sacrificial love, we find meaning and a life reborn?
In our second reading, Saint Paul is writing to the Corinthian church. He is writing to a church divided into factions, split along class lines; a church still guided by the secular values of Rome rather than the precepts of a Christian community. St Paul urges unity, love and peace, so that this church may better reflect these trinitarian qualities. He tells them to rejoice, mend their ways, and to be blessed in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who is the giver of life and the one who makes unity and holiness possible.
"Who do we know that needs to put back together a life fractured by secular living?" Who do we know that needs healing from the rifts of separation, frustration, and loneliness? Who do we know that thirsts for the Holy Spirit and the joy He brings?
In his providence it appears God is today preparing our youth to fully awaken to his presence. Our young adults will likely be the means of evangelization; teaching and sharing the good news with their peers. They will be the ones whose voices will counter the voices of self-loathing, self-criticism, and the feelings of worthlessness and loneliness. But this task is not only theirs, for the Spirit is with all of us. And Jesus has demonstrated how we are to love. And God has reaffirmed his kindness and fidelity towards all of us. We thank God for our youth and young adults. We encourage and support them, as they, like us, and as Ezekiel describes, take firm root and grow into trees along the river of living water bearing fruit every month, with leaves that heal (Ezekiel 47:12). Amen.
Deacon Peter Bujwid
St Camillus Church, Arlington, Massachusetts
