“Go and announce the gospel of the Lord.” You may remember hearing something like this at the end of Mass and perhaps thought, “How can I do this?”

In early January four young adults attended the SEEK Young Adult Conference in Salt Lake City. This reflection by Jose Zamora centers on the conference’s fifth day.

We all had a profound encounter with the Lord at the conference, experiencing His mercy, love, peace, and joy. This made the last day a little bit sad because we were not ready to return home. We wanted to stay and continue to live this joyful time. Despite that, we knew we could not keep the experience to ourselves. We needed to “Go and announce the gospel of the Lord!”

But will we? How can we share our experiences? How can we spread the gospel when it can feel intimidating? There is fear of others’ reactions, embarrassment, and anxiety when speaking to strangers, or even our friends and family.

We are all called to be disciples and spread the gospel, and one of the most powerful ways to do so is through our actions. People listen to joyful people and are drawn to follow joyful people. So, always remember to live out the joy of the gospel. If you ever find it difficult to do so, remember that the God who created the universe knows you by name and loves you.

In early January four young adults attended the SEEK Young Adult Conference in Salt Lake City.  Here is another reflection by Xochitl Santiago on her experience.

Monsignor James Shea’s keynote explored the depth of the Paschal Mystery, delving into the profound question many of us, including myself, struggle with: Why does God care about humanity despite our fall and the corruption we’ve brought into the world – especially in a world that was originally created perfect and without sin?

Msgr. James Shea used the analogy of “a child who burns down their parents’ home and anxiously awaits their return.” This analogy struck me deeply, as it reminded me of the feeling of regret I often experience after sinning, where I attempt to seek happiness without God. A key moment in history came when God, in the person of Jesus Christ, entered the world, lived among us, and ultimately sacrificed Himself for our salvation. Msgr. Shea stated, “God became man so that man might become God.” This quote replayed in my mind throughout the following days at SEEK, reminding me that Christ – through His resurrection – conquered death and humanity was given a new destiny, a new life, and freedom for all who seek Him. The Church was established as a resistance movement against evil. When we constantly repent with joy and renounce our rebellion, we honor God by aligning ourselves with his kingdom. We bring him great joy both in heaven and on earth, reminding Him that we continue to fight in the ongoing spiritual battle against evil. This is why God cares for us and loves us so deeply – He willingly endured humiliation and death for us.