"On the Wings of the Morning..."

"...hope is rising."

I went to the St. Michael's Didache group (Adult education class) this morning after Mass. There was a coffee and donut social so I figured I might as well stick around and learn something. Today's topic was the papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate. The encyclical addresses many issues including morality in economic life, global development, personal human development, and progress toward the common good of all peoples. Many interesting and puzzling things were said.

Our discussion really solidified a lot of things I've been thinking about lately. Really, it made especially apparent how the Lord is truly after my heart for hope. "Hope" happened to be the leftover family group name last summer when all the Pan y Vino family group leaders had chosen their names. Hope has reigned in my life ever since.

This morning in Didache I was faced with the overwhelming pessimism and despair that have paralyzed generations. At the beginning of our discussion an older gentlemen posed that the whole room would admit that there is no solution, no peace, no hope for the economic and social problems our world faces.

I thought about what little hope the existing generations have for us, the future of the world. I was reminded of an incredible Caedmon's Call song "Wings of the Morning." Particularly I thought of this verse:

The ads and billboards rained in every language
The message every politician knows
When we're fed that we are nothing we'll believe it
And then do what we are told

How interesting that poverty has spread like a pandemic across the world. How interesting that our local, national, and global economies are failing. Why does it seem that even in our churches we cannot escape the feeling that we are nothing. How do we treat our future generations?

One third of my generation was destroyed without thought before they saw the light of day or took their first breath of air. One in every three children was denied the first inalienable right. How can there be liberty or the pursuit of happiness if life is denied? For every two young people that sit in my classes, walk on campus, live in the dorms, there is one missing. Are we just a "bunch of cells" with the "potential" for life?

When we're fed that we are nothing we'll believe it
And then do what we are told

So, if you happen to be a "two thirds" who made it you are still plagued by the lies that you are nothing. You know the arguments against teaching abstinence in schools. Proponents of a "comprehensive" sex education program say that young people cannot possibly control their bodies so they need birth control in order to protect themselves. We tell them that they are too stupid, too fickle, too ruled by their lust to be able to make the decision to say no to sex. This is just one example.

When we're fed that we are nothing we'll believe it
And then do what we are told

The same is true for us. It is our responsibility to pick up the pieces and heal our hurting world. It is up to me and my peers to believe we can change things, to believe that hope lies in us. It is up to us to teach our children that they are capable of more that the world tells them they can achieve. It is up to us to not lose hope in the future. When this generation tells me there is no solution to the problems we face, no hope for the future this is what I hear: "You are nothing."

But, Caedmon's Call continues:

The spark of the divine
I see it in your eyes
It's there behind the lies that tie you down

I say to the existing generations--Don't you see it in our eyes? The spark of the Divine? You may not believe in us, but do you believe in Him? He's there, Our God, and all hope. When the existing adults and leaders die what will they have left behind? Generations who believe they are nothing?

Or will they sing, as we, the young people, do?

On the wings of the morning
Hope is rising
In the darkest night
Your love and light prevail

For indeed, there is hope in the words we pray, "Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." Hope is not light-years away. It's inside of me, and inside of this 2/3rds generation that is struggling to stay afloat with the lack of hope the older generations have in us. If they do not, there is One who hopes in us. And so,

We will rise on the wings of the morning
Though we hide, hide in the shadows of the night
There is hope, hope in the hands that have made us
And are holding us tight...