Present and Igniting Hope

That morning, Arka woke up. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the pale ceiling in the morning sunlight. Outside, the house felt empty—no jokes, no aroma of breakfast, just the clink of dishes from the kitchen that was quickly lost in the silence. His parents had left at dawn, chasing their never-ending work. There were no greetings, no hugs, just a note on the table: “Don’t forget to eat.” Arka took a deep breath, but couldn’t shake the emptiness that was slowly settling in his heart.

However, beneath that emptiness, something still burns—albeit a small one—called hope . Hope doesn't always come in the form of instant solutions, but often comes through simple encounters and caring . For Arka, that hope emerged when a friend from the community sent a short message: " What are you up to? Let's join the meeting this week. Let's learn about the purpose of life together. " The message may seem ordinary, but for Arka, who felt invisible, it meant a lot. Although he had rejected the invitation several times, over time he began to consider attending. Perhaps there was still a place that could make him feel more alive and understood?

Face of young people

Elsewhere, Lani sat on her porch, gazing out at the expanse of rice paddies that were beginning to turn yellow. Although the surrounding landscape was serene and beautiful, Lani's heart was filled with anxiety. She felt trapped in the same place, year after year, without many options. Access to education was limited, internet was often intermittent, and her friends were leaving the village one by one for bigger dreams. The adults around her said, "Just be grateful, life here is safe." But Lani knew her heart yearned for something more—meaning, direction, and hope that she hadn't yet found.

Then, a companion appeared, coming regularly every month to hold learning activities and share stories of faith. The elder brother didn't bring money or big promises, but he was there with his time and a listening ear. For the first time, Lani felt her voice mattered, her dream worthwhile. She began helping the little ones in the village learn to read, and it was then that she realized—maybe she didn't have to go far to be meaningful; perhaps hope could begin from her own heart, awakening and giving.

Pendamping orang muda disiapkan dalam retret perutusan untuk mendampingi orang muda

Arka and Lani's story is a true portrait of many young people today—both those living in the bustling city and in the countryside. They don't need instant answers, but they need to be accompanied, seen, and spoken to . Because in genuine support, hope grows. In a community of mutual care, the future is shaped.

As followers of Christ, we are all called, whether as friends, spiritual brothers, parents, or servants, to be a beacon of hope for the young people around us. No need to wait for perfection, just start being present and caring. Because often, one smile, one small invitation, or one warm hug—is the beginning of a changed life.

Come, let's be present and share this hope with the young people around us, just as Saint John Paul II did. He was always present and encouraged young people, saying:

St. Yohanes Paulus II

"Don't be afraid. Don't be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."