Blessed are you who give your lives to serve young people, especially when your efforts don’t seem to bear fruit, for you possess the generous spirit of Christ.
Blessed are you who recognize and call forth the gifts in youth often buried beneath layers of anger, distrust and abandonment, for you possess the mouth of Christ.
Blessed are you who see and affirm the goodness in every kid, especially those who are entitled, apathetic and abrasive–for you possess the eyes of Christ.
Blessed are you who are a safe place for young people, especially those who have experienced abuse, neglect and violence, for you possess the healing presence of Christ.
Blessed are you who pray for young people, especially those who don’t know God, who do not want to know God and don’t want anything to do with anyone who has anything to do with God, for you possess the soul of Christ.
Blessed are you who risk loving young people, knowing that they will sometimes disappoint you and hurt you, for you possess the heart of Christ.
Blessed are you when you feel patronized by those insisting that you just “play with kids”, “Only work from 8-3 and get three months of summer vacation” for you do possess A REAL JOB and yours is the humility of Christ.
Blessed are you who feel unvalued, unappreciated and unsupported by pastors, boards, councils and administrators for you possess the enduring spirit of Christ.
Blessed are you who at times leave behind home and family to bring young people to places where they can hear God’s “still small voice” for you possess the sacrificial spirit of Christ.
Blessed are you who persevere in your ministry, especially in the months of March, April and May when you think “I don’t get paid enough to do this” for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when parents doubt you, and talk about you at soccer practice and utter every sort of evil into your voicemail—Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven–’cause its sure won’t be in your paycheck!.
(Inspired by the “Beatitudes for Teachers” SPICE Conference 2010, ACSTA.)
Roy Petitfils is a counselor intern at Pax Renewal Center in Lafayette. He has written three books and is a sought after presenter and facilitator for conferences and retreats. Contact him at roypetitfils@yahoo.com)
About Roy Petitfils
Love the article! I will share it with my catechists next week. Thanks for the knowledge and inspiration you provide with your gift of writing.
Thank you and LJ for loving me at a time in my life when I couldn’t see myself as lovable. I’ll never forget that and always be grateful!