EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
Youth rally inspiring to behold

By Sister Katherine Francis Miller

Youth rally inspiring to behold

"Let's see if we can hold our arms for three minutes," directed Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, the keynote speaker. The crowd of youths and young adults complied and spread their arms wide. After a minute, arms began flagging, then suddenly people began putting their arms on their neighbor's shoulder.

Then a song came over the loudspeaker: "Lean on me when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend; I'll help you carry on ... so just call on me, brother, when you need a hand. We all need somebody to lean on."

The 2,500 participants, gathered at the Hawai'i Convention Center earlier this month, got the lieutenant governor's message:

"Life is a test and in the face of peer pressure and temptations. Hawai'i's youth need to be trendsetters for what is good and positive in life. And they do not need to do it alone."

Indeed, the youth rally, sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, was a real example of that.

The rally's theme song, "Come just as you are," called on everyone " ... to listen to Christ's beatitudes so as to be blessed with a new attitude," as Al and Geri Simbahon, youth rally coordinators, put it.

Each of the eight vicariates of the diocese presented a skit featuring one of the beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst, for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God."

The presentations, in music, drama, prayer and dance, helped participants realize the power of the beatitudes.

In a culture that often focuses on the negative aspects of young people, it was inspiring to see teens present solutions to broken family relationships, homelessness, promiscuity and societal violence.

Led by youth music groups, the young people sang not in the lyrics of the latest pop star, but in praise of God.

Many of the youth groups that participated in the rally knew the value of hard work and determination because they organized fund-raisers to be able to pay for plane fare. But if their enthusiasm was any measure, it all was evidently well worth the sacrifice.

Sometimes the negative behaviors of people can really get all of us down, but the experience of a youth rally, such as this one in Honolulu, gives sure hope that life is good.

Sister Katherine Francis Miller is the campus minister of Sacred Hearts Academy.

Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes written works from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted may be published or distributed in other forms.