We began the day with worship at our hotel. The theme for today is “Jesus encounters us in our projimo/a (neighbor),” based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. We gathered with our immediate hotel neighbors and then with a lot of other neighbors…
In our mass gathering at the Alamodome we heard variations on this theme from our Bible study leader, Rev. Stephen Bond, and our speaker, Dr. San Juana Mendoza Bruce. Both challenged us to see ourselves both in the role of the Good Samaritan who crosses boundaries to show Christ-like mercy and in the one beaten and left for dead in the road side who receives help from his neighbor.
This afternoon we have been attending workshops and having some time to explore the “Interaction Center” at the convention center, a panoply of games, booths, sports and learning experiences.
As a pastor, it is a true joy to watch faith be reawakened in so many youth.
And on a personal note, it has been fun to see friends and seminary classmates from South Carolina.
I would add that it is so good to see so many young people this happy, cooperative, and energetic in the Spirit. I read an article today in the USA Today that said volunteerism this year has hit a record high, mainly because of all the kids of this generation who are applying for things like the Peace Corps, Teach for America, and the like. Experts believe that since the people in high school and college right now were profoundly affected by events like 9/11, the southeast Asian tsunami, and Katrina in their youth, they are starting to live out a vocation of service as adults. I bet that the ELCA is likewise experiencing an upswing in participation from youth in all kinds of service projects and volunteerism. It would be very difficult to quantify those trends.
I guess I see a connection here: the youth have sadly been exposed to an awful lot of suffering in their childhood and the Spirit has moved them, like he moved the Samaritan, to see Christ in their neighbor and respond in compassion and mercy, rather than indifference. They have been embodying “cruzando” even before coming to San Antonio to learn about it.
It is always easy to experience a revival at these Gatherings, but it’s also nice when the secular media backs that up.