Hopeful Leaders, Joyful Servants

“He makes all things new,” Pope Francis wrote to the young ones, “He reveals an authority different from that exhibited by the powerful of yesterday and today. His is a way of transforming situations that does not overwhelm but uplift, does not constrain but liberates.” On December 16 and December 21, 2024, the San Pablo Youth Apostolate Core Group marked a special moment of sending forth, with God’s blessing. These dates represent a new season of Hope and Joy for all of us. The Sending Forth was a time for the 14 Zone Youth Coordinators and the Core of the San Pablo Youth Apostolate to prepare for the Local National Youth Day, with the theme: “ABOUND IN JOY: CHRIST IS OUR HOPE!”

“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! For now, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone.” The Song of Songs calls us “my beautiful ones” during times of renewal, reminding us that with God, despite the challenges we, as youth leaders, have faced this year–whether in school, work, at home, or in relationships, God is always ready to embrace and heal us.

Reflecting on how far the Core Group has come, with their accomplishments and the obstacles they’ve overcome, yet still surrendering everything to Him, I am reminded of how they are all such Hopeful Leaders.

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to Him a new song. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. As our chapters are renewed before the year ends, watching the smiles and rejoicing of these young leaders after their renewal ignites the spirit of being Joyful Servants. Oh, how beautiful it is to see His Joyful Servants serving God in their unique ways: one as a reader, another as the youth coordinator of the entire parish youth, one as a singer, the other as a first aider.

Pope Francis reminds the youth, “Follow (Jesus) with full confidence, thinking of your growth not as a way of raising yourself above others, but as a way of lowering yourself to serve them.” Dearest parents, brothers, and sisters, as these Hopeful Leaders, Joyful Servants of Him continue their way to spread their service, may we also continue to pray for them; pray for more leaders to rise and serve Him unconditionally. May these youth never forget how much of a huge impact their service means to the world.

#SPYALNYD2024 #PADAYONSPYA

(By Sophia Beatrice V. Sison | San Pablo Youth Apostolate)