"Yusuf Islam put it this way: In the West whoever wishes to embrace their religion and make it their only way of life is deemed a fanatic.."


"Many young people grow weary of a lifestyle of anger, loneliness and frustration"



Adapted from an essay by the Rev. Father Val J. Peter in the June 2009 issue of Homiletic & Pastoral Review, called "An apologetic for post - modern youth."


"Where do we do we look to find an apologetic for post - modern youth.

"Not in the self - esteem movement, for its shelf life is about over.

"Not in the shared practice approach to Christian religious education of Thomas Groome, which on its fortieth anniversary last year looked tired and exhausted.

"Groome's approach focuses on the youth's experience in a modern age, which is over and done with.

"These young people filled with post - modern anger are honestly turned off by what they perceive as Western civilization's tired, vapid version of Christianity.

"Pope Benedict XVI has said that over and over again.

"It cannot be repeated enough.

"The pop singer Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, put it this way: In the West whoever wishes to embrace their religion and make it their only way of life is deemed a fanatic...then I realized that we must follow the will of God and then we can rise even higher than the angels. The first thing I wanted to do now was to become a Muslim.

"Many of the young people grow weary of a lifestyle of anger, loneliness and frustration.

"No wonder some find themselves responding to the clarion call to take the radical road of worshiping the living and true God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"It is a steep, daunting road and the neophyte has to take one step at a time trusting the grace of God.

"What is happening in the twenty - first century is that these young people are embracing the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ as found in the Scriptures and preached by the Church.

"Their attitude is that of Joshua: As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord..."

Way to go, Reverend!! :)