So I have to admit I’m a little bit of a Gleek.  Besides great music and dance, the hit TV show often takes on huge social issues that we deal with in our culture.  Teen pregnancy, homosexuality, disabilities, bullying and family issues are just a few of these topics.  This past week however they finally devoted an episode to the “God-issue”.  If you didn’t catch the episode, the openly gay character, Kirk, has his dad end up in the hospital from a heart attack.  Meanwhile Finn, the quarterback character has a religious experience with his grilled cheese sandwich, setting off a firestorm in the Glee club as to whether God exists, should we pray for Kirk’s dad (even though Kirk is an atheist), and can we even talk about God in school.

There are so many parts of the episode I could talk about, and I half want to pick apart the whole episode for you all, but I’ll spare you.  Instead I want to just mention the last issue, whether or not we can talk about God in school.  The show brought up an issue that should not even be an issue, and I want to clarify it.  In the show, Sue Sylvester, the Glee-frienemy character of the show takes the Glee coach Will Schuester to the principal for allowing his students to explore and discuss issues of faith on school grounds.  Will and the Glee club are put on notice even as the discussion continues off school grounds.

The truth is this: if you are a teen at a public school, you have a right and freedom to discuss your faith and pray in school, during school hours, and even in class assignments.  Your faith is protected by our Constitution, and no teacher, school administrator or cheerleading coach should tell you otherwise.  But I want to challenge you all to go a bit farther.  In the Catholic understanding, God gives us rights so we can live up to responsibilities.  Imagine your parents bought you a new car, but along with that comes the responsibility of helping to drive your younger siblings places.  You have it so you can use it.  You have  the freedom to talk about Jesus at school, but are you using that freedom to answer the Gospel call to be His witnesses to the ends of the Earth?  You have a freedom to pray and talk about Jesus, but do you use that freedom.

Here are some practical ways to just that:

1. Be sure pray a blessing over your food at lunch. It’s always good to say grace before a meal, and even this one little act can be a huge witness.
2. Bring your faith to class. Whether it’s an writing about Steubenville East in that english paper on “What you did this summer,” or it’s picking the Battle of Lepanto (where Our Lady’s intercession helped save Europe from Muslim invasion) for the topic of your history paper, or learning the Our Father for your French dialogue, bringing your faith into the classroom helps educate and witness to your classmates who won’t hear the whole truth from their teachers.
3. Pray for/with your friends. I know a lot of you guys already pray for your friends, but do your friends know that you are praying for them.  It doesn’t have to be all in-your-face like on Glee, but if your friend is going through a tough time, pull them aside and let them know you are praying for them.  If you really feel the Holy Spirit moving you, ask them if they would like you to pray with them.  You might be surprised how often people say yes to that question.
4. Start a club. It’s great to have Life Teen or EDGE once a week, but wouldn’t it be cool to have some support at your school?  Most schools allow students to form after or before school clubs.  All you need is a few people, and usually a faculty advisor/sponsor (trust me there are more that are willing than you think).  Since it’s not during school hours, teachers can then become involved, and you can even invite special guests (like your youth minister or priest!).
5. Make it part of the routine. Even if you don’t have a club, it’s still possible to meet up with with other Catholics at your school (and there are others) before the day starts to read the gospel of the day together, or to pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet.  Making it a regular thing will help keep you spiritually fed and strong at school and is a great witness to anyone who may be passing by.

In closing I do want to acknowledge these things aren’t always easy.  Wherever there is faith, it will be attacked.  However keeping all things in prayer, remember the example of the holy martyrs and Saints who came before you.  A slushy to the face isn’t going to kill you, but it will make you holier.  Stand true, be bold and know that Jesus is there with you.