Legazpi prelate tells youth: ‘Encounter Jesus’
- Bicolmail Web Admin
- Jun 21
- 3 min read
By Natalie Hazel Quimlat
Speaking to hundreds of youth pilgrims on Philippine Independence Day, June 12, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon talked about freedom, idealism and maturing in one’s journey with Jesus Christ during his homily at the eucharistic celebration he presided for the National Youth Day (NYD).
Drawing from his personal experiences of being a student activist during the years of heavy political and social unrest in 1971-1972 until the declaration of Martial Law, Baylon described young individuals as passionate and fueled by their “gift of idealism”.
“You have dreams that you hold dear and plans about your life,” he said. “You want to be recognized, not taken for granted.”
“You want to be free.”
Baylon, who was a second year Philosophy student and seminarian at the time, said he “was carried into this strong movement of student unrest and activism” that he left the Seminary to join the said movement, thinking he could “save and change the world on his own”.
“[But], change does not happen overnight,” he said. Eventually, when Martial Law was declared, Baylon returned to the Seminary.
Reflecting on his journey and circumstances at the time, the prelate discussed two aspects of freedom: freedom for and freedom from. Most long to be free from the things that enslave them, he said. But what happens once one is free from all these?, he asked.
“This is where the Lord comes in,” the prelate said. “This is where His Spirit comes into our lives.”
Hence, Baylon urged the youth to allow their “gift of idealism” to “challenge themselves” but also warned them to proceed with caution.
“Take risks; but when you take risks, make sure God is with you,” he exhorted.
He also advised his listeners not to take after him during his time spent outside the Seminary, which he also described as a period not anchored on God.
In addition, the prelate encouraged those present at the Our Lady of La Porteria Parish in Calabanga, to make room for “something more meaningful in life”, something they “will cherish when [they] have grown older”.
While being young comes with the “need to belong”, Baylon forewarned them that “one day, there will be something more that [they] will desire”.
“That you be who you are,” he said, “And who you are depends on what the Lord has determined you to become.”
In closing, Baylon called on the youth to “encounter Jesus in [their] journey of freedom, for He is the truth and His path is the way that leads to life”. He further exhorted, “Be with Him. Follow Him. And you will be free.”
Baylon served as the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Youth from 2007 to 2013. He was also once the Chairman of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Youth Desk and the Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia. In 2018, Baylon was one of the participants in the Synod for the Youth in Rome.
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