A Catholic bishop called on young Filipinos to do away with blaming others and instead to take responsibility of their lives.
In a “message to young people,” Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Daet said that if young people want to succeed in life, they need to be serious about it and to start by not blaming others and by doing something about the situation.
“Arise! Stop blaming others. Stop blaming your circumstances. Rather, take responsibility,” said the prelate who is also head of the youth commission of the Philippine bishops’ conference.
“Do not shy away from responsibilities; be ready and willing to make an account of your life. Maximize and share your talent, your time, your gifts and your life,” he said.
Bishop Alarcon made the call in a message for this year’s National Youth Day, which takes place every December 16.
Echoing Pope Francis’ message for the 36th World Youth Day, the prelate pointed to the important role young people have to play in the world today.
The pope’s message for the 2021 Diocesan WYD carries the theme: “Arise. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (Acts 26:16).
“We can take this call as a reminder for us to choose to stop blaming others or our circumstances. On the contrary, we can choose to take responsibility,” said Bishop Alarcon.
“Maximize and share your talent, your time, your gifts and your life,” he added.
This year’s WYD takes place on November 21 and will be celebrated in dioceses around the world as the Church prepares for the 2023 WYD in Lisbon, Portugal.
Bishop Alarcon acknowledged the difficulties that the Filipino youth have been facing due to the pandemic.
He said many young people experienced multiple scenes of weakness, despair, loss and even death.
“Do not let go of the light that gives you hope,” said the prelate.
In 1986, the Philippine bishops declared every December 16 as National Youth Day.
The event is held in a different host diocese every two or three years, with local celebrations taking place in the intervening years.
The last NYD was held in Cebu City in April 2019 with more than 20,000 pilgrims in attendance. The Archdiocese of Caceres was supposed to host the event this year but it was postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic. – from a CBCP News report
