Teens Drugs and A Mass that Calls Them to be Aware
By Rev. Lawrence M. Ventline
Each Sunday evening teens gather for Mass at a sprawling Catholic Church just north of Detroit. Surrounded by older and younger parishioners alike, the Mass is marked by enthusiasm – and by a focus on the ravages of drugs.
Teens provide ideas for song and sermon, proclaim the scriptural readings of the day, serve as ministers of hospitality, sing, take up the offering, usher, present the bread and wide and distribute the Eucharist to peers and mentors in attendance.
Our nation’s leaders – whether in government, military, business or in community service organizations – have emphasized the need to get people to volunteer and mentor youngsters in efforts to help them mature. Catholic parishes have been inspiring young people down through the ages. And when chemical dependency is becoming an epidemic in this country, along with other pervasive and addictive diseases, the call to leadership in the parish is key to thwarting this deadly demon. The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) asked parishes to supplant the primary formation of the home’s first educators – mom and dad.
The Gospel passage for this particular Mass is from St. John’s Gospel, chapter 15, verses 1-8, about bearing good fruit and remaining in God’s love. The priest shows the assembly a bright fresh orange and declares it to be “good fruit.” “This orange grows well because it was watered, nourished and given sunshine galore,” he shouts, using his hands to express his mission to make kids drug-free zones.
“How do we grow well?” he asks the teens seated in the front pews.
A litany of responses pours forth: with love, care, communicating, good eating and living habits, exercise, and so forth.
“What else?” the priest asks.
“By not putting drugs into our bodies,” one loud, clear voice from the back of the church pipes in.
“That’s right," the homilist affirms. “To grow well, we never forget that we are temples – each of us – of the Holy Spirit, made in the image and likeness of God. One would conclude that this country grows liquor and beer since they are the drugs of choice for teens, with marijauna close behind. I went to give you 10 consequences of smoking marijauna,” he sounds, as the congregation shifts its posture in attentiveness.
Marijauna use reduces attentiveness and causes drowsiness.
An inability to concentrate is created.
One’s heart rate increases by 14 breaths per minute.
Studies of long-long use reveal brain damage.
Blood pressure escalates.
Skin temperature decreases.
It is harmful to lung tissue (as all smoke is).
Carcinogens in the smoke enter the body.
The effectiveness of the body’s immune system is reduced.
Motivation and ambition are adversely affected.
In a brief testimony against drug usage, 21-year -old Jeff reveals how motivation for work and ambition depletes when taking marijauna. The priest then relays how a son told him of his father’s sharing joints with him and the effects of smoking marijauna over time. His father found little interest in getting a job and simply stayed home from work day and day. In a rehabilitation center, the son spoke against marijauna use, citing examples of its destructiveness in his own life. Inspiring the assembly further, the homilist points to the 12-year old Jesus who was His own man, having to “go about my Father’s business” when “lost” in Jerusalem, in the Temple where he was listening to and asking questions of the elders there.
“It takes a leader to stand alone, sometimes, you know! Jesus didn’t get nailed to that cross by following the crowd but by speaking hard truths that alone set one free,” the priest states. “Jesus increased in wisdom, stature and grace at age 12. He grew well in his relationship with His Father. Good fruit was evident, but Jesus paid the ultimate price in being different – in being a leader. Jesus remained in contact with his heavenly Father, and so do we, in order to be strong, loving and wise, in our journey,” he summarizes.
Incredible positive power influences young people when used well. It’s a spiritual force that is unmatched. The Mass is a marvelous moment of move young people into natural “highs” of song, praise, bonding, exercise – and being most fully the Body of Christ.”
Father Ventline, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit was ordained in 1976 and is a former longtime religion writer for The Detroit News. He is a licensed psychotherapist and holds doctorates in ministry and in chemical dependency. Lawrence Ventline, D.Min. 13383 Highland Circle Sterling Heights, MI 48312 www.addiction-specialists. Lawrence Ventline, Ph.D. Psychotherapy with Spiritual Solutions Licensed Counselor LLPC, CADC-1 Certified Addictions, Depression
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