Sr. Tracy Kemme's response to an article about millennial nuns reveals candid insights into a young woman's journey toward religious life. Kemme challenges or dispels many of the assertions made in the original article. While that piece likely would take too much class time for your students to read, it's worth your time as a teacher to explore for perspective.
Author Eve Fairbanks suggests that generalizations about generations are imperfect in their assumptions about religious beliefs and many other factors. She writes: "The truth is that it's incredibly hard to read American young people. You can find surveys and news stories indicating they're more genderfluid, more committed to traditional gender roles, more rebellious, more uptight and moralistic about drugs and sex, better with money, lazier."
Perhaps just as common as attempts by sociologists and marketers to capture common traits within a generation are efforts by that generation to resist such labeling or prove it wrong.
It's said that people are products of their environment. Young people seem especially influenced by the times in which they live and the opinions of their peers and celebrities. In the age of social media, people of all ages are caught up in a tug-of-war between individuality and groupthink. Amid dense and diverse messages and pressures, where can young people find time and space to listen to what God might be trying to tell them?
Note: Consider inviting your students to use their phones or other digital devices for this activity. This could expand the conversation and/or create distractions that might enhance the point of the lesson.
Begin by saying: "People today are swayed by a lot more than simple peer pressure or word-of-mouth recommendations. Where do people turn today to get guidance or explore trends?"
Responses likely will include social media platforms and particular "influencers" on those platforms.
Ask:
- Who influences your choices regarding the music you listen to?
- Whom do you turn to for guidance regarding fashion or personal style?
- What purchase or decision have you made based on the endorsement of a social media influencer?
- Which influencers are most likely to grab your attention? How many followers do they have?
Allow time for discussion. If possible, let students access their social media and discuss products and trends that influencers are promoting. Ask why they follow those influencers.
Ask students:
- What influences your faith?
- Do the beliefs or doubts of others have any impact on your own belief?
- Where do you turn to discover the path that God wants you to follow?
Allow time for discussion of sources – online or otherwise – that students turn to for spiritual guidance. Be prepared to share apps, podcasts and other sources that you find helpful.
Then say:
"While there are plenty of ways – both online and in person – to listen for God's call today, there also are plenty of things that can distract us. With so many things clamoring for our attention, it can be challenging for God to get through to us.
The prophet Elijah was once in fear for his life, hiding in a cave and in need of God's guidance. The First Book of Kings describes his wait for God's word. In it, we read:
There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord—but the Lord was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the Lord was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.
God was able to connect with Elijah through a small, whispering sound. Does God reach out to us with earthquakes and violent winds, or in whispers? What must we do to allow God to influence us?"
Allow time for discussion or silent reflection.
Loving God, speak to us through the mess of messages that compete for our attention.
Help us detach and unplug from things and people that distract us from your goodness and your call.
Open our ears, our minds, our hearts to listen carefully for your voice.
May we recognize you and follow your way of holiness, your plan for each of us.
Amen.
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