2 nd BILA Youth Ministry in Asia Reliving the Emmaus Story Johor, Malaysia

2nd BILA

Youth Ministry in Asia

Reliving the Emmaus Story Johor, Malaysia

There are no strangers in this world but only friends we have not met.

Mark Twain

ThailandCambodia

Vietnam

Laos

Malaysia

Indonesia

Philippines

Japan

East Timor

China

India

Singapore

Brunei

Turkmenistan

Bangladesh

Korea

TaiwanHongkong

Macao

We may have arrived on different ships but we are in the same boat.

World’s largest continent – 30 % of world’s land area and more than half world’s population.

The world’s highest mountain ranges – Himalayas, Mt. Everest. Two of world’s greatest rivers : the Ganges & the Bramaputra

Home of Major early civilisations and the birthplace of all the major world religons.

Many Asians are poor and about 60% live on farming..

Japan : Asia’s most industrialised country..

Asia will dominate the world economy in the 21st Century

Has 60% of the world’s young

Youth ministry in AsiaYouth ministry in AsiaReliving the Emmaus Story Reliving the Emmaus Story

A. ASIAN SOCIO-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXTA. ASIAN SOCIO-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

11 Under developed and developing countriesUnder developed and developing countries

Japan, Singapore and Korea, leading economies of AsiaJapan, Singapore and Korea, leading economies of Asia China, India, Malaysia, Thailand : fast developing China, India, Malaysia, Thailand : fast developing

economic powerseconomic powers Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar : struggling Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar : struggling

economieseconomies Other countries : middle stream of economic and social Other countries : middle stream of economic and social

development.development.


22 Diverse Political PatternsDiverse Political Patterns India : biggest democracyIndia : biggest democracy China : the great communist strongholdChina : the great communist stronghold Vietnam & Kampuchea : struggling to shake off the effects Vietnam & Kampuchea : struggling to shake off the effects

of superpower domination and communist strangleholdof superpower domination and communist stranglehold Myanmar : under dictatorshipMyanmar : under dictatorship Pakistan & Indonesia : non secular countriesPakistan & Indonesia : non secular countries Sri Lanka still fighting a 20 year old civil warSri Lanka still fighting a 20 year old civil war Japan & Thailand : traditional monarchiesJapan & Thailand : traditional monarchies Philippines, Malaysia: democracies Philippines, Malaysia: democracies

A. ASIAN SOCIO-POLITICAL-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXTA. ASIAN SOCIO-POLITICAL-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT


33 Great Religious Heritage and DivideGreat Religious Heritage and Divide

Native place of major world religions : Hinduism, Native place of major world religions : Hinduism, Christianity, Confucianism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Jainism, SikhismJainism, Sikhism

Religious fundamentalism and intolerance on the rise in Religious fundamentalism and intolerance on the rise in Pakistan, Indonesia, India.Pakistan, Indonesia, India.

Religious reawakening and renaissance among Hindus, Religious reawakening and renaissance among Hindus, Muslims and among indigenous religious groups.Muslims and among indigenous religious groups.



44 Socio Cultural similarities and diversitiesSocio Cultural similarities and diversities Asian sense of hospitality to the guestsAsian sense of hospitality to the guests Profound respect and obedience to the elders and teachersProfound respect and obedience to the elders and teachers A personal and in born religious senseA personal and in born religious sense Solidarity among the people especially the poorSolidarity among the people especially the poor Low level of literacy, religious intoleranceLow level of literacy, religious intolerance High percentage of economically poorHigh percentage of economically poor High rate of mortality due to sicknesses High rate of mortality due to sicknesses Divergent political scenario in different countriesDivergent political scenario in different countries Religious diversities resulting in intolerance & persecutionReligious diversities resulting in intolerance & persecution



B. THE ASIAN ECCLESIAL CONTEXTB. THE ASIAN ECCLESIAL CONTEXT

1.1. A Young ChurchA Young Church

South India : from the apostolic timesSouth India : from the apostolic times Most Asian countries : from 16Most Asian countries : from 16thth Century (European Century (European

traders)traders) Most of the churches are just a little more than 100 Most of the churches are just a little more than 100

years old years old Japan and Korea : earlier proclamation and have Japan and Korea : earlier proclamation and have

well established communitieswell established communities


2.2. A Small ChurchA Small Church Church is small in all countries except Philippines.Church is small in all countries except Philippines. Often this minority belongs to the lower middle class and Often this minority belongs to the lower middle class and

poor class of citizens.poor class of citizens. New Christians are from those groups who have less New Christians are from those groups who have less

education, lower standard of living, knowledge, power and education, lower standard of living, knowledge, power and influence.influence.

Numerical strength has its own religious and socio political Numerical strength has its own religious and socio political advantages. advantages.

Lop sided proportion of the priests and religious to the Lop sided proportion of the priests and religious to the Christians and general populace.Christians and general populace.



3.3. A powerful yet powerless Church A powerful yet powerless Church

Powerful through her educational, health and social Powerful through her educational, health and social servicesservices

Powerless in political and social circlesPowerless in political and social circles Discriminated against (dalit, tribal and caste groups) Discriminated against (dalit, tribal and caste groups)

who convert to Christianity.who convert to Christianity. Considered foreign in many Asian countries and Considered foreign in many Asian countries and

even persecutedeven persecuted



4. 4. A Serving yet Ignored ChurchA Serving yet Ignored Church Appreciated for her services in education, health, Appreciated for her services in education, health,

social services. Trusted NGO social services. Trusted NGO But ignored in policy making, or fundingBut ignored in policy making, or funding

5. 5. A growing Church A growing Church Steady growth from within and withoutSteady growth from within and without Resurgence of indigenous religious groupsResurgence of indigenous religious groups



C. THE ASIAN YOUTH CONTEXTC. THE ASIAN YOUTH CONTEXT

Youth – the major population in the Asian countriesYouth – the major population in the Asian countries Youth - struggling for identity and powerYouth - struggling for identity and power Youth – discouraged due to lack of education, training and Youth – discouraged due to lack of education, training and

opportunities, resulting in loss of purpose in life.opportunities, resulting in loss of purpose in life. Youth – within grasp of a bright future due to the economic boom Youth – within grasp of a bright future due to the economic boom

in India, China, through globalisation and technical progressin India, China, through globalisation and technical progress Youth – the poorer section left out due to lack of knowledge and Youth – the poorer section left out due to lack of knowledge and

skill.skill. Youth – influenced by the different life style brought about by Youth – influenced by the different life style brought about by

globalisation - NEW DETERMINING NEGATIVE VALUESglobalisation - NEW DETERMINING NEGATIVE VALUES Youth – victims of political and religious vested interestsYouth – victims of political and religious vested interests Youth – victims of substance abuse and a valueless progressYouth – victims of substance abuse and a valueless progress

Coming together is beginning

Staying together is progress

Working together is success

We cannotdirectthe wind but we canset our sails

BELIEFS

ATTITUDES

BEHAVIOUR

RESULTS

VALUES

Our rolesOur roles

Meet them where they are found. Meet them where they are found. Be with themBe with them

Walk along with them. They need Walk along with them. They need to be accompaniedto be accompanied

Be a friend rather than an Be a friend rather than an animator /sister/teacher/superior...animator /sister/teacher/superior...

Witness , Express counter values: Witness , Express counter values: prayer, love, understanding, prayer, love, understanding, listening, sharing, giving, caring, listening, sharing, giving, caring, service...service...

Youth Ministry in Asia

Reliving the Emmaus StoryHe Explained the

scriptures to them

EMMAUSEMMAUS

► Means : “Warm Springs” Means : “Warm Springs” ► Many youth walk to their own “warm springs” – from Many youth walk to their own “warm springs” – from

light to darkness, sunrise to sunset, hope to despair. light to darkness, sunrise to sunset, hope to despair. ► F.Buechner – Emmaus is more than a place but a F.Buechner – Emmaus is more than a place but a

state of mind : escape from pain, loneliness, state of mind : escape from pain, loneliness, longing, sorrow, bewilderment, grief, poverty, longing, sorrow, bewilderment, grief, poverty, hunger, disease, hopelessness….. hunger, disease, hopelessness…..

► A place where young ( the rich and the poor) spend A place where young ( the rich and the poor) spend their lives. their lives.

► Road to Emmaus : place to escape from their Road to Emmaus : place to escape from their failures, responsibilities, their brokenness, a failures, responsibilities, their brokenness, a demanding/deprived family, a grief over life or love demanding/deprived family, a grief over life or love lost lost

EMMAUSEMMAUS

► “ “ Their eyes were prevented from recognizing Their eyes were prevented from recognizing him” Lk. 24:16 him” Lk. 24:16

► ““He walked along the road as a travel companion; He walked along the road as a travel companion; indeed it was he who led them. They saw him, but did indeed it was he who led them. They saw him, but did not recognize him… they were kept not from seeing not recognize him… they were kept not from seeing him but from recognizing him.”him but from recognizing him.”

St. AugustineSt. Augustine

► The disciples reported how their hopes were crushed The disciples reported how their hopes were crushed and how they were frustrated, disillusioned and sad.and how they were frustrated, disillusioned and sad.

EMMAUSEMMAUS

► “ “ O foolish men, slow of heart.. He O foolish men, slow of heart.. He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” Lk. 24:25-27things concerning himself” Lk. 24:25-27

► Jesus proclaims and leads them to faith.. Jesus proclaims and leads them to faith.. Their eyes were and hearts were opened.Their eyes were and hearts were opened.

► The disciples come to be known and The disciples come to be known and embraced in their grief by Jesus and resolves embraced in their grief by Jesus and resolves their pain by a nursing and caring love. their pain by a nursing and caring love.

► They regain their lost hope & want to experience They regain their lost hope & want to experience more of the Lord … “Stay with us..”more of the Lord … “Stay with us..”

Show Show Me Me the the WayWay



Every night I say a prayer in the hopes that there's

heaven.

Everyday I'm more confused as saints Everyday I'm more confused as saints turn into sinners.turn into sinners.

All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay.

And I feel this empty place inside, so afraid that I've lost my faith.

Show me the way, show me the way

Take me tonight to the river and wash my illusions away

Please show me the way

As I slowly drift to sleep,

for a moment dreams are sacred

I close my eyes and know there's peace

in a world so filled with hatred

Then I wake up each morning and turn on the news,

to find we've so far to go

And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid, I just won't know


Bring me tonight to the mountain and take my confusions away

And show me the way

And if I see a light should I believe?

Tell me how will I know?


Take me tonight to the river and wash my illusions away


Give me the strength and courage to believe

that I'll get there some day

Please show me the way

And every night I say a prayer in the hopes that there's a heaven.And every night I say a prayer in the hopes that there's a heaven.

Have you shown the Way?

Has the Church shown the way to the Young? How?

YOUTH CATECHESISYOUTH CATECHESIS

Goal of youth catechesis is the integral growth of Goal of youth catechesis is the integral growth of the individual – growth to Christian maturity. the individual – growth to Christian maturity.

Physical growth to maturity is not concomitant Physical growth to maturity is not concomitant with emotional or spiritual maturity. with emotional or spiritual maturity.

Youth Catechesis has to bring Christian maturity Youth Catechesis has to bring Christian maturity to the young people of Asia who have to assume to the young people of Asia who have to assume full responsibility for their personal, social, full responsibility for their personal, social, political and ecclesial lives. political and ecclesial lives.

The Youth CatechesisThe Youth Catechesis

““He explained to them what was said about himself in He explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures”. The purpose was to make them all the Scriptures”. The purpose was to make them understand and accept the events that had taken place understand and accept the events that had taken place in Jerusalem at that time. in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus stepped in and interrupted their thoughts and Jesus stepped in and interrupted their thoughts and made them talk, think, reflect, understand and accept made them talk, think, reflect, understand and accept the truth about themselves, their reality, and God. the truth about themselves, their reality, and God.

Such an understanding and acceptance results in their Such an understanding and acceptance results in their total conversion, commitment to the person of the total conversion, commitment to the person of the risen Lord and mission.risen Lord and mission.


Help them to make scriptures answer to their Help them to make scriptures answer to their problems, concerns, queries, fears, doubts, problems, concerns, queries, fears, doubts, future.future.

Enable the young to make scriptures their Enable the young to make scriptures their constant companion because in the scriptures, constant companion because in the scriptures, they find Him “who teaches with authority.”they find Him “who teaches with authority.”

The Scriptures will take the place of the The Scriptures will take the place of the Eternal Word who was a companion to the Eternal Word who was a companion to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Contextualised CatechesisContextualised Catechesis ““Build up the positive cultural and religious values enshrined Build up the positive cultural and religious values enshrined

in their previous and present social, cultural and religious in their previous and present social, cultural and religious contexts such as value for life, respect and obedience to elders, contexts such as value for life, respect and obedience to elders, hospitality, egalitarian social attitudes, community sprit, hospitality, egalitarian social attitudes, community sprit, simplicity of life, honesty ..simplicity of life, honesty ..

Show with the help of scriptures that the negative values found Show with the help of scriptures that the negative values found in their contexts are to be eradicated both personally and as in their contexts are to be eradicated both personally and as communities. communities.

Catechesis has to culminate in a moment of reflection and Catechesis has to culminate in a moment of reflection and prayer enabling them to let their hearts burn with prayer enabling them to let their hearts burn with understanding and love. understanding and love.


““The Young need to be addressed in their own The Young need to be addressed in their own immediate context.immediate context.

They are to be helped to understand that They are to be helped to understand that which afflicts and holds them down – which afflicts and holds them down – personal, social, remediable or irremediable. personal, social, remediable or irremediable.

The young are to be helped to remove the The young are to be helped to remove the blindness that prevents them from recognizing blindness that prevents them from recognizing Jesus – the hand of God in everything “How Jesus – the hand of God in everything “How foolish you are; how slow you are to believe”.foolish you are; how slow you are to believe”.

BUSY AS A

A BEE

ONCEIN A

A LIFE TIME

BIRD IN THE

THE HAND

BUSY AS A

A BEE

ONCEIN A

A LIFE TIME

BIRD IN THE

THE HAND

The human mind islike a parachute,it only workswhen it isopen

Nothing dies faster than

a new idea in a closed

mind

“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas

as in escaping from old ones.”

- Keynes

Dinosaurs died out! Mammals did not

Instead they embraced change and survived.Instead they embraced change and survived.

“Nobody wants a change except a wet baby”.

Mark Twain

Documents

2 nd BILA Youth Ministry in Asia Reliving the Emmaus Story Johor, Malaysia