A MISSION FOR BLACK CATHOLIC YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ...

Rahsaan Garlin

 Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say 'My friend, move up to a higher position.'..." (Lk. 14:1, 7-14)

In today's Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus is dining at a wedding at the house of a Pharisee and recognizes how the guests are choosing places of honor. Throughout this gospel text, Jesus uses each teachable moment to reassure them that true greatness doesn't come from seeking status but from humility and inviting those who cannot repay you. During this humble example of leadership, Jesus demonstrates putting the people who are less fortunate and do not have, first, especially those who cannot repay you, is the greater thing to do. It is a true testimony to putting the Lord before all things and doing what is right in the faith of God.  

This is not just a lesson in etiquette; it's a divine leadership model. Jesus shows us that authentic leadership means serving those who are often forgotten. It means prioritizing the needs of the poor and the marginalized, and overlooking personal needs. This is not weakness; it is strength. That's faith in action!! Jesus challenges us to rethink leadership, not as a position of power but as a posture of service.

For Black Catholic youth and young adults, this is a powerful reminder that leadership in the Church is not about titles, recognition, or even being in the spotlight but about lifting others—especially those who feel unseen. And let's be honest, some adults need this reminder, too. Amen!

When invited, go sit down at the lowest place, Jesus said. This one sentence alone speaks directly to the Black Catholic experience of those who have often felt marginalized in Church spaces, voices silenced, culture ignored, or their presence questioned. Jesus affirms that your worth is not identified by where you sit at the table but revealed by how you serve. Your service, your faith, and your leadership are sacred. Many can relate to this socially unacceptable stereotype that pushes our Black Catholic youth and young adults in the opposite direction of being faith-filled and putting God first. As Black visual leaders, we need to continue empowering our Black Catholic youth and young adults. Don't let stereotypes or silence push you away from your faith. Let your faith move you deeper into your purpose!

Inviting the poor, those with seen and unseen disabilities, and others, those people who are often excluded, is how Jesus shows his humility and demonstrates yet again the way our young people should live their lives. As young leaders, you are called to build a Church that reflects the radical hospitality of Christ. That means making room for your peers, elders, and community members who may feel disconnected from the Church. Your voice is needed more than ever, especially now in the time of change and transition in the Church, with Pope Leo being our spiritual leader.

This is a call to mission, to serve without expecting applause. It is about building ministries, events, and spaces where Black Catholic identity is celebrated in our skin and where healing and belonging are prioritized. Your leadership is not just about today; it is about a legacy. Embracing humility, you become the bridge between our ancestors' prayers and our future dreams. You carry the stories of those who worshipped in the face of injustice. You have the songs, the strength, and the spirit of a people who never gave up on God, even when it seemed like the world gave up on them.

Don't wait for someone to give you a seat – Build your own table.

Don't wait for the Church to catch up, be the reason it moves forward.

Don't wait for someone to pass the mic to speak; speak up without one.

As Director of the African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate, I aim to walk with you, support you, and fight for spaces where your leadership can thrive. I will continue to empower our future Black Catholic leaders and lead by example, guided by my Catholic faith and the Spirit of God.  

Author: Rahsaan Garlin, Associate Director of The African American Africa, & Caribbean Apostolate (AAA&CA) of The Archdiocese of Newark. BA Business Marketing & Management, New Jersey City University, Certified in Building Cultural Competences & Eucharistic Liturgy at XAVIER UNIVERSITY's Summer Continuing & Education Program.

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