Rocks, stone, pebbles… These words may be attributed to the things which are simple in nature; things

which can be found anywhere, and sometimes, are not given of any importance, but rocks, which most
people treat as common things, have been a significant symbol used in one of Christ’s teaching.

How do the teachings of Christ about rocks can influence us, especially the youth to become the youth
whom the world needs today?

Peter, a fisherman, originally has a name of Simon before he become a disciple of Christ. Peter, originally
came from a word a word ‘Cephas’ which means ‘rock’, Christ gave Simon a new name ‘Peter’ trusting the
rock foundation where Christ will build His church. This task was not simple and at first, Peter may have
not realize how serious this task would be. But as we knew it, Peter stood firm, in spite of challenges he
faced while doing the mission left by Christ.

Like Peter, our youth of today is faced with a lot of challenges; laziness, materialism, confusion, poverty,
issues of security, conformity and even the threat of war, it is even alarming that the youth is now involved
with self-destructive habits like drugs, alcohol, immature sexual involvement and even severe cases of
depression and suicide. On the surface, the path which most of the youth is now taking, seems to be dark,
a desolate one, but these problems, makes us rise to the challenge and lead those astray to the right path
where the youth should belong.

Fear; everyone feels fear, every creature is designed to feel fear as a mechanism for survival. Today we
are not experiencing major threats, but still we feel fear. What are we’ve been afraid of? Specially, what
fears the youth most?

People specifically, in today’s generation, have been experiencing events which makes them feel fear;
and the most evident of these, is fear of rejection. This makes us mute; afraid that people would not listen,
or even laugh on us about our idea. This fear preventing us to take charge. But the same fear was once
felt by a God fearing man named Moses. Moses, was tasked to lead Israelites out of Egypt, but he become
hesitant because he felt fear that his fellow Israelites might not believe him. But despite of this he
overcome his fear and has led Israelites out of Egypt.

We the youth, has to learn from the story of Moses, that fear is not a hindrance but an opportunity to
look forward as to what more we can do, through the help of God. We must not look on fear of rejection,
but the fear that if we won’t take charge in the situations that hinder our way to our brighter future.

Another problem which the youth is facing today is the challenge of diversity; a separation making us
confused with a lot of things, with the choices that sometimes leads us to undesirable things. These
problems arise due to our differences in culture, beliefs, and environment we used to live. This situation
is nothing new, difference in ideas have been evident between Disciples of Christ. One particular example
is the case of Peter and Paul when they’re debating about separation between Jewish Christian and
Gentile Christian and the true teaching of the gospel. Even with these given differences; the bible teaches
us this; Christ unites us, He gave us wisdom when we need it, even in situation arising for today.

Just recently, a well-known, international singer and performer Justin Bieber attended Hillsongs’ Church
Conference and was changed spiritually by God’s grace, an evidence that it is never too late for us youth
to encounter Christ, Organizations like YMCA can be described as the extension of Christ’s hand, Showing
an important advocacy; spreading the good news of Jesus Christ which leads everyone, men and women,
black and white, young and old to the life with Christ at the center.

Robert Ingersoll, a lawyer and a political leader in United States once said, ‘We rise by lifting others.’
Simple act, like showing kindness to others, is what the world needs today, especially to the youth exposed
with rudeness and selfishness. Though simple acts, we live by what Christ taught us. In today’s situation
where youth are conformed to follow the trend, let us not forget that we can do something even in little
act of kindness. ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted’ as Aesop has expressed

These problems arising seems to be a sign of deterioration for the youth, a sign of hopelessness, a sign
that the world will never be a beautiful world to live in, but I say the opposite is true, because through
these problems, we become more stronger than ever, these problems make us wiser, make us more
responsive and responsible. There is hope for us. The bright future for the youth is possible if we stand
out through the test of time, if we become united with Christ in our life as the center and is we show love
in every extraordinary ways as Jesus did. Let us be the change that we want to see in this world.

In the book of Mathew, Christ once said, ‘the stone the builders rejected has become the corner stone,’
we the youth, are challenges to be the stones of today, and every single stone is important in building the
bright future with Christ as our foundation. Youth of today are you up to the challenge?

Kenji R. Valdez

10-Honesty

Oratorical Piece

Standing Firm on the ROCK (Responsiveness, Oneness, Christ-centeredness, Kindness)

Kuya nung tinry kop o sya mga nasa 7.30 mins.. kung pwede nasa 6.30. wag po nating paabutin ng 7 mins,
thanks po.