“To be fearless is to come back to our deepest identity. Courage comes from knowing who we are… When you receive your deepest identity, you are free.”

Every man has a unique call. When men wake up to who they are and who the Lord calls them to become, the Devil runs in fear. Young men are called to more than what the world presents to them. For that reason, it’s important not to waste moments. This is the starting point from which Brian challenged the young men attending the conference this weekend.

Reflecting on the story of Genesis 3, Brian pointed out that it is an indictment on men. In that story, Eve is the one who engages the serpent. Adam is standing right there with her, but Eve is the one who fights the battle – the battle that Adam was called to stand up and fight. Men are called to battle for more.

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What does it mean to be an ideal woman? How do we courageously live out that ideal while also building holy, lasting friendships with other women?

According to the world’s changing standards, during the last 60 years, the definition of woman has encompassed a wide range. From the “domestic goddess” of the ’50s, to the “anything goes/hippy” stereotype of the ’60s/’70s, and including the more recent, “be like a man,” message of the ’80s /’90s, it is difficult to discern a woman’s purpose. During this morning’s women’s session, Lisa Cotter explains how trying to keep up with these shifting ideals is exhausting at best and impossible at worst.

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Our Saturday morning Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Rice of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau. This was a votive Mass, celebrated in special recognition of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We were blessed to be joined by priests and deacons from different youth ministry groups that came to the conference. Our team priest, Fr. Joe Freedy gave an empowering homily where we learned about how exciting in can be to be “all in” for Jesus.

Sometimes we can feel scared of what life with Jesus actually looks like. Fr. Freedy let us know that living for Christ is not stifling, but an opportunity to live life to the fullest. The saints have gone before us. Saints like Teresa of Calcutta and Maximillian Kolbe listened to the stirring of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, and they were all in for God. Their fearlessness and examples of selfless love provide us inspiration for our faith lives today.

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“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you… plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11

God created us for fearless relationship with Him. From that beginning, we enter a life that sometimes throws us situations that seem bigger than we can handle – situations that leave us feeling alone. In that space, we can start to doubt and ask hard questions.

Does God see me?
Does God love me enough to change this situation for me?
Is there something wrong with me?

Somewhere along the way, we might start to believe that God is not the answer to the problems in our lives. The voices that whisper distorted lies of fear and shame impede our ability to fearlessly pursue the love of God.

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