I like to hear about people’s aspirations. It gives me a good gauge on where their hearts are.
I’ve had many aspirations myself, but now only one. When my parish young adult ministry was “re-branding” itself, the name RISE and a three-word mission statement were chosen. This mission statement is a summary of the church’s mission for each of us: “Go to Heaven.”
Today’s Mass readings remind us that, as Catholics, we live out our “dual citizenship” each time we encounter Christ in the Eucharist. There we stand with one foot in the world and one in heaven. But so many young people are unaware of this truth because they believe they have complete ownership of their lives and therefore their aspirations as well.
See, you can say great things about the Mass, but unless your heart realizes it is not the supreme owner of your soul, you’ll miss the true beauty in it. However, when you understand that you have been entrusted with the care of your body and this world for a short time, you become able to fulfill the church’s mission through the same Savior who comes to us in the breaking of the bread.
Makana Aiona is the diocesan coordinator for Young Adult Ministry.