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High School Teens Take on a Troubled World

By Robert Barnell, a student at Indiana University 

            There are reasons why teenagers are skeptical. Differing perspectives on religion, politics, and morality are competing in our minds. Reports of violence, poverty, disease, and environmental abuse demoralize us daily. On top of these frustrating, complex realities, personal struggles often depress us further. We look to our Church for clarity, and sometimes we leave feeling even more discouraged.

            “How can faith help our troubled world?” we ask. For those who really desire to care about our world, Justice-Walking (J-Walking) offers a much-needed alternative. This youth version of the JustFaith Program helps teenagers understand how closely connected we individuals are with everyone else in the world—and how faith can empower us to be the difference Jesus calls us to be.

As Evan Fowler, a student at Manual and member of St. Margret Mary parish, explains, “J-Walking opened my eyes to issues that, before, I didn’t know existed or affected my life. I realized that other people needed more prayers than I did.”

In fact, the oppression of our sisters and brothers across the globe hinges on our own everyday choices. Humility and faith become not only relevant but vital in living responsibly and peaceably among our world of injustice and suffering.

These realities can really disturb us. Sometimes we further reject religion, but often enough we find the strength to keep believing that God cares about humanity. This is the type of faith that builds the peaceful, just Kingdom of God.

Read the rest of Robert's Article

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