BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2025

Author: Anil Israel

Intro: Taking a look at what makes Jesus Youth the Spirit-filled movement that it is, Anil Israel asks whether our lives reflect the lifestyle of the early Christians.

Sixty years ago, the Second Vatican Council concluded on 8th December 1965, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, under the leadership of Pope Paul VI. The council began on 11th October 1962 under Pope John XXIII and was convened to address the role of the Church in the modern world and to promote dialogue with other religions and Christians. The council is remembered for the usage of the phrase open the windows of the Church, to usher in a new springtime, of renewing the Church and presenting the faith in a way that resonated with the men and women of our time. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the vernacular language made liturgy more accessible and understandable. The role of the laity shifted from a passive to an active one, with a greater emphasis on the universal call to holiness for all baptised people.

The Charismatic Renewal was born in February 1967 at a student retreat at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The stirring of the Spirit gave birth to several movements, communities and associations to continue the mission of the Church. When someone asks, who is the founder of the Jesus Youth movement, we aptly attribute it to the working of the Holy Spirit. Over the past forty years, the Jesus Youth movement is witnessing the spread of its fragrance in over forty countries. Undeniably, it is the supreme manifestation of the churning of the Divine Spirit in the hearts of the faithful.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). It is this lifestyle of the early Christians that we are emphasising as the pillars of the movement. This is not a new finding. This is simply an acknowledgement of what ought to have been promoted and practised as an essential ingredient for every believer and follower of the Way (Acts 24:14).

Young people are strongly convinced of not giving up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Several weekly prayer gatherings in campuses or parishes have become an oasis for refreshing one’s faith life. The bonding, warmth and encouragement experienced during grace-filled moments of praise and worship and heart-filled sharings, provide a deep sense of the divine presence – a sweet taste of heaven on earth. A friendly reminder of the next prayer meeting, a sincere follow-up when one misses showing up, a personal prayer request being genuinely prayed over, all contribute to building up a bond of heavenly connection among people on earth. Fellowship has become the irresistible paradise that one longs to return to, week after week to re-fuel one’s spiritual tank. 

An exquisite emphasis on exclusive time with God during personal prayer, has elevated one’s spiritual life to immeasurable depths. A conscious decision to take one’s prayer life seriously, by prioritising the turning of one’s soul to God, has become an indispensable trait for those willing to grow in divine intimacy. A personal discipline of beginning each day with prayer, is widely being embraced as an irreplaceable ingredient for an active Christian life. An irrefutable dependence on the supernatural power from on high (Luke 24:49) through renewing one’s personal relationship with God has become the hallmark of a missionary disciple.

Frequent reception of the sacraments of Holy Communion and confession has added vigour and flavour to the lifestyle of one willing to be a FOOL (Focussed Only On the Lord) for Christ. Prioritising the day so as not to miss daily Mass is a proof of radical reorientation of one’s life around the Eucharist – the source and summit of Christian life (CCC 1324). 

Falling in love with the Bible – the eternal living word is a sign of a life devoted to eternal life. Daily reading and meditating on the Holy Scripture provide nourishment to one’s soul. A newfound interest to study the divine word helps one encounter God in the written Word. 

The tagline of the movement - A missionary movement at the service of the Church – echoes the call of every baptised Christian to respond to the great commission. Youngsters are willing to set apart a year for voluntary service in the Lord’s vineyard. Different formation initiatives help equip people to grow in their pursuit of personal holiness and contribute their unique share towards the mission of the Church. Every heartbeat tends to whisper: I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

 Where am I in my journey as a baptised Christian? Do I embrace the itinerary of holiness – the lifestyle of the early Christians – echoed as six pillars? How faithful am I in my adherence to the practice of this joyful spirituality? Is my spiritual tank empty? Or is it being refilled with the daily dose of vertical pillars – personal prayer, Word of God and sacramental life? Am I connected to my local fellowship circle on a regular basis? Am I setting apart myself to be available as an instrument in the Lord’s vineyard? Am I putting my God-gifted talents and abilities to good use – to build up His kingdom?

Do I believe that the Christian life is purely activated by divine power? Do I put myself on the receiving end of grace? Do I cooperate with heavenly inspirations and promptings of the Holy Spirit? Do I invoke the assistance of the divine? Am I willing to abandon myself to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)? What are my five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:17) towards the great commission?

May we learn to acknowledge that the capacity we have comes from God (1Corinthians 3:5). May our faithfulness to personal prayer and Word of God, be the two small coins (Mark 12:42) we offer. May our desire for daily Mass be the one loaf of bread (Mark 8:14) we hunger for.  May the living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) of our time, talents and treasure be the pure emanation (Wisdom 7:25) of the breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4) in our lives.