Reflection is critical. The famous Greek philosopher Socrates noted that the unexamined life is not worth living, and it goes without saying that reflection on service teaches us how to examine life. Reflection grounds youth in a sense of their responsibility in the world, it offers glimpses of grace, and it invites them closer to God. But often this piece of the puzzle is the last one considered.
The logistical planning that needs to be done to provide sacred space for reflection is as important as organizing the service, transportation, and meals. If you are looking for a deep dive into how to do reflection well, I would recommend the book Surprised by God: Teaching Reflection through the Parables. (I wrote it with you in mind!) But for a quick dive into setting the stage here are a couple pointers.
The underlying goal of theological reflection is to open our eyes to the movement of God. When youth glimpse God in their midst, they wrestle with how to respond to God’s nearness. Reflection on the encounter with the other, a new perspective on an issue, or understanding the impact they have on the world transforms their hearts.
Catholics have a sacramental perspective that God is breaking through at every moment. They will encounter God through service — in the people they meet, in the peers they serve alongside, in how the space looks, feels, smells etc. The more we help our youth reflect on these glimpses of grace, the better they can integrate their identity as a disciple
Youth can help decide where to go, what they will do, and which issues they will focus on. Invite them to research the context of the organization or the issue and consider how it aligns with Catholic social teaching. These initial reflections can take place weeks or days ahead, allowing them to share their research and ask questions about the service itself.
Have “quick pause” questions that open their eyes during the day. These questions are designed to get them in touch with their feelings in the moment or to capture a snapshot of the day. Have questions set for lunch breaks or bus rides to and from the sites to give them a moment to pause and notice. If youth are on their own for service, give them some questions to consider in the moment. These snippets can be shared later in larger reflection times.
Reflection with the group afterwards is critical. Depending on the size of the group or duration of the service, you might do this immediately upon return or later when you gather again. Make sure to set aside a solid chunk of time for these reflections. The conversations in small or large groups will go deeper if this is not an afterthought. See below for possible frameworks for this conversation.
You can provide materials for journaling, follow up with questions a month or two later, or have handouts with questions for parents or teachers to bring into conversations around dinner tables or classrooms. These don’t take the place of the communal reflection, but they do add to their ongoing integration.
Key to theological reflection is to begin with their experience. Their experience includes their senses, so get them talking not only about what they did, but what they smelled or tasted. Let them recall their “quick pause” responses. They might consider how their perspective, based on their research, was the same or different once they experienced the place. This is all about putting the experience in context.
Once they have shared their memories, ask: What this experience reminds them of in stories from movies or books, stories in our scriptures, or lives of the saints. Even Calvin and Hobbes comic strips can get them talking about their experiences. Everything can be a sacred text if you help them explore it through the lens of noticing God’s movements. Comparing their experiences to events in Jesus’ life or his parables brings home the sense of how God invites us to respond in the moment.
Finally, theological reflection is about opening up to the surprising nearness of God. Toward the end of every reflection, I ask: What surprised or challenged you? I believe it is in these moments of surprise or discomfort that God breaks in and invites a new perspective. So, once they have named their surprise, ask: And how is that an invitation from God? Those simple questions get them thinking about God’s nearness and invitation.
The transformative work of service is unpredictable, yet carving out the space for reflection allows God’s Spirit to lead the way.
Jesus’ parables have an arc that is helpful for reflection. They start with a familiar scene, and then something happens that is shocking or surprising. This surprise is a glimpse of the way God is acting in the world. Finally, they end with an invitation. We are not told what to do but invited to consider how we might respond.
Thus, in reflection we can begin by asking participants: What is familiar here? What happened the way we expected? What felt comfortable or normal? This is the familiar scene that gives us a sense of our own perspective.
Second, what surprised us? What was shocking, uncomfortable, not at all what we expected? In the parabolic arc, this is where God is shocking us out of our complacency with a different vision to see the Good News.
Finally, what is the invitation? Just as in the parables, the glimpse we have of God’s nearness offers an invitation to do or see things differently. If the surprise is where God is breaking in with a new vision, the invitation is asking what do we do with these “eyes that can see.”
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Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
