Unlike my own
parents they never asked the questions,
"Where are you going?" and "Who are you
going with?" If they had then they would
have saved themselves a frantic search
amongst their friends and acquaintances when
the 12-year-old Jesus went missing after a
pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Eventually they
found him, attempted to chastise him, but
when he replied, "They did not understand
[his] answer." (Luke 2:50) Nothing changes!
Current studies show that children in
Britain leave their childhood behind
substantially earlier than previous
generations. They are given more
responsibility in caring for younger
siblings, they are costing more and they are
spending more time alone.
The recent Olympic Games highlighted the
fruit of investment in youth. Team GB was an
umbrella title for all those parents, family
members and organisations who have invested
their time, energy, enthusiasm, and
themselves in the dreams, hopes and
aspirations of the youth for whom they have
an element of responsibility. They will also
have been around to wipe away tears and
offer words of consolation when goals
weren't reached or targets missed.
When the adult Jesus was asked about
greatness in the Kingdom of heaven, he
called a child forward and invited all
gathered around to "become like little
children." (Matt. 18:3) May we give
generously to a needy cause of today – our
youth!
By the Very Revd Fr Nicholas Hird
Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Paulinus,
Dewsbury
On behalf of the Churches Together in
Dewsbury
