Mother Whitney's message during our celebration of the Eucharist on February 2.
Mother Whitney's sermon revolves around the theme of seeing truth, particularly through the lens of young people and their role in revealing deeper realities about ourselves and the world. She begins with a personal anecdote from her early ministry in youth work, recalling how adults sometimes fail to appreciate the unique qualities of young people.
She connects this theme to the Gospel story of Simeon and Anna recognizing the divinity in baby Jesus when his own parents might have downplayed it. She draws a parallel to how children and young people reveal truths about their parents-sometimes uncomfortable truths-forcing them to confront their limitations and personal growth areas.
Mother Whitney shares her own experiences as a mother of four, emphasizing how each child brought revelations about her own weaknesses and strengths. She describes this as "experiential salvation," where life's challenges reveal God's healing and transformative power.
She then tells a story she heard from the late Tony Campolo about Shane Claiborne, a young man who, inspired by his Christian education, chose to live among the poor-much to his stepfather's dismay. This, she argues, is an example of how young people challenge societal norms and expose contradictions in how faith is practiced.
She references Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus redefines family, prioritizing those who follow God's will over biological relationships. This, she says, would have been painful for Mary, just as it can be painful for parents when their children make choices that challenge their understanding of the world.
She warns against the temptation to shield young people from difficult truths, whether historical or personal. She criticizes attempts to rewrite history, such as downplaying the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, emphasizing that truth cannot be erased.
Concluding her sermon, she expresses gratitude to her children for opening her eyes to truth and urges the congregation to embrace truth rather than constructing protective bubbles around themselves. She calls on the faithful to fight for truth-not just for themselves but for the souls of young people and humanity.
**Final Message:** Truth, though sometimes painful, is necessary for growth and salvation. Young people play a vital role in revealing truth, challenging us, and shaping a more just and honest world.