Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
One might think that these words were written by a concerned parent sending their son or daughter off to their first or another semester of college, instead of St. Paul writing to the people of Ephesus nearly 2,000 years ago. St. Paul admonishes the people of Ephesus to “walk wisely.” To walk wisely is to move through life with a realization that the decisions we make are often inconsistent with the conventional wisdom of living a healthy life. In addition, they are also in direct conflict with the Christian faith we profess. How easy it is for us to fill ourselves up with work, social interactions, and addictive behaviors, leaving no room to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We all need to pay attention to how wisely we are walking in our lives. We are called to do this for ourselves but also as a model and example for the young. Watching carefully how we live and making an effort to walk wisely is an obligation for all of us who have been entrusted with the life and formation of the generations who follow us.
These thoughts also provide the opportunity for me to share once again my annual open letter to the young of our parish and all their fellow college students as they begin another academic year. Each year I share these words, not in judgement or oblivious to the adventurous spirit that young adults rightly have. I offer them as a spiritual father who cares deeply for the young lives I have been blessed to encounter.
Dear College Student,
Congratulations! With mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety, you are about to either begin the most important years of your life thus far or return to another year of college life. You are in my prayers, and I wish that you may be blessed with wisdom, fortitude and happiness.
Like all adults in your life, I have concerns about the road ahead and the environment in which you live as a young adult. The world you encounter does not always support and validate what you have been taught by your parents, other role models and your faith. While it is important for us to be challenged on the path to greater wisdom, it is also important to recognize and respect the wisdom we have already been given. So, I offer you the following counsel:
Respect your freedom – You will now have a new-found independence, and with it comes responsibility. You have the freedom to be faithful to your studies or to ignore them in the name of fun. You have the freedom to experience new things as well as the freedom to make destructive decisions in the process. You have the freedom to grow and evolve into an adult, but you also have the freedom to remain childish and irresponsible.
Respect your body – You have heard that you have been created in the image and likeness of God and that your body is the temple of the Spirit. These teachings are the truth and not just pithy sayings. Respecting the body with which God has blessed you is a means of recognizing your own human dignity and a way to show others how you expect to be treated. Respecting your body means being mindful of what you eat, getting the sleep you need, and being physically fit. It also means that you must make good decisions with your use of alcohol and drugs (including those prescribed by a doctor). Respect for your body includes attentiveness to your sexuality. Taking advantage of the body of another or allowing another to take advantage of yours for the sake of personal fulfillment is a disrespect of your body and that for which it is made.
Respect your faith – Practicing your faith, and growing in it, is an important part of your college years. As you are now facing the challenges of an adult life, you ought not to abandon the practice of faith but increase and mature your practice. Be faithful to Sunday mass. Many college campuses meet the needs of a college student by offering mass on Sunday evening. Spend time with others who not only share your faith tradition but are also facing the same challenges and struggles which you are. Cultivate a habit of prayer: pray the rosary, read the scriptures, participate in Eucharistic Adoration and talk to God daily.
Beloved college student, your families, your communities and your church wish you well and will keep you in our prayers. In the words of Jesus, we hope that you will always strive to “enter through the narrow gate,” and not take the easy way out. Respect the person God has made you and the person your parents formed you to be.
GOD BLESS YOU!