Let no one diss your youth

Young people sometimes feel excluded in Church.

Today’s first reading (1 Tim. 4:12-16) is therefore a great gift to young people, starting with that great first line

Let no one have contempt for your youth

Or to be it more colloquially...

Don’t let anyone diss you for being young

It is a rallying cry for all young people who are serious about Christ and his Church.

But St. Paul is not saying, "Hey, go for it!" He encourages his young protege, but he also quickly urges him to keep his standards high.

This encouragement and these standards are for us as well (even those of us who are not so young anymore).

Let no one have contempt for your youth,
but set an example for those who believe,
in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity....

Attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Do not neglect the gift you have....

Be diligent in these matters,
be absorbed in them,
so that your progress may be evident to everyone.

Attend to yourself and to your teaching;
persevere in both tasks,
for by doing so you will save
both yourself and those who listen to you.

Don't let people get to you, but make sure you always get to Christ.