Thursday, May 18, 2006
Of Things Divine: Holy Rosary 8th Grade Graduation Homily 2006
Dear graduates, Fr. Russ, faculty, staff, parents, family and friends:
This evening we gather not for an ending but for a new beginning. That is what each and every Mass celebrates – a new beginning in Christ Jesus. But tonight we also have a commencement exercise that is commonly called graduation. While there will certainly be tears shed by some during the course of this evening because an era comes to an end for these 8th grade students and perhaps for your family, we must remember that a commencement marks the start of something new, and it is not just going to high school and getting involved in the academics and social scene of secondary school.
The Gospel reading for tonight was taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We call this passage “The Beatitudes.” Blessed are those who do this. Blessed are those who do that. Humility, sorrow, a desire for justice and peace, mercy, single-heartedness, and persecution are all integral to being a member of the Church. I hope that in however many years you have been with us at Holy Rosary that you have learned something of what it means to be Catholic.
You have participated in food drives to feed the hungry. You suffered in sorrow over the events of September 11, 2001, and participated in efforts to send clothing and supplies to those in New York City affected by those horrible events. You have provided for babies and mothers through Birthright. You worked together on projects and teams. Sometimes you won. Sometimes you lost. I hope that you understand that all the things you did for others was training for your future lives as members of the Church because you did them in faith, in hope and in love, and the only reason Holy Rosary exists is to help you learn how to glorify God with every talent He has given you and in everything you put your mind to do.
Tonight Mr. Mullis, Mrs. Gardino, Fr. Russ, your teachers and I send you out into the world with the confidence that we did the best we could and in the hope that you will find success. We aren’t worried about how popular you are in high school or wealthy you become later in life. What we hope for is that you will be counted among those Jesus refers to in the Beatitudes. So we send you with just a few last words of advice:
1. Remember that fashions come and go. If you hold fast to modesty in dress and language, people will know that you belong to the kingdom of heaven.
2. There is enough rage in the world. If you keep your cool and pray before reacting, the whole world is yours to inherit.
3. You will see many things that disturb you in life. Do what you can to correct them. And if you cannot do anything directly carry them to the Lord in prayer and God will comfort you.
4. Don’t ever forget the poor and the disenfranchised. If you tend to the needs of those less fortunate than you and your family you are actually serving Jesus himself, and you will be satisfied.
5. Remember to forgive and to forgive often for you will be forgiven as you forgive. Pray the Our Father and the Act of Contrition at least once every day.
6. The values of the world are different than the values of the Church. The world would have you satisfy your personal urges while the Church reminds us that we live to fulfill God’s desire for us. You will be bombarded with suggestions and reasons why the Church it out of touch with reality. Stay in touch with God and maintain a pure heart by weekly attendance at Mass so that God will know who you are.
7. Finally, don’t worry about what people say about you or names they might call you because you choose to follow Jesus and cling fast to your faith. Remember that they persecuted Jesus, the Apostles and most of the saints in the same way.
So, you commence on a new segment of this journey we call life. Don’t forget that regardless of where you are going to high school your final destination is still heaven. Do everything you can to stay on the narrow path. And if you ever have trouble remember the words Bishop Steib uses so often: God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
God bless you all.
This evening we gather not for an ending but for a new beginning. That is what each and every Mass celebrates – a new beginning in Christ Jesus. But tonight we also have a commencement exercise that is commonly called graduation. While there will certainly be tears shed by some during the course of this evening because an era comes to an end for these 8th grade students and perhaps for your family, we must remember that a commencement marks the start of something new, and it is not just going to high school and getting involved in the academics and social scene of secondary school.
The Gospel reading for tonight was taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We call this passage “The Beatitudes.” Blessed are those who do this. Blessed are those who do that. Humility, sorrow, a desire for justice and peace, mercy, single-heartedness, and persecution are all integral to being a member of the Church. I hope that in however many years you have been with us at Holy Rosary that you have learned something of what it means to be Catholic.
You have participated in food drives to feed the hungry. You suffered in sorrow over the events of September 11, 2001, and participated in efforts to send clothing and supplies to those in New York City affected by those horrible events. You have provided for babies and mothers through Birthright. You worked together on projects and teams. Sometimes you won. Sometimes you lost. I hope that you understand that all the things you did for others was training for your future lives as members of the Church because you did them in faith, in hope and in love, and the only reason Holy Rosary exists is to help you learn how to glorify God with every talent He has given you and in everything you put your mind to do.
Tonight Mr. Mullis, Mrs. Gardino, Fr. Russ, your teachers and I send you out into the world with the confidence that we did the best we could and in the hope that you will find success. We aren’t worried about how popular you are in high school or wealthy you become later in life. What we hope for is that you will be counted among those Jesus refers to in the Beatitudes. So we send you with just a few last words of advice:
1. Remember that fashions come and go. If you hold fast to modesty in dress and language, people will know that you belong to the kingdom of heaven.
2. There is enough rage in the world. If you keep your cool and pray before reacting, the whole world is yours to inherit.
3. You will see many things that disturb you in life. Do what you can to correct them. And if you cannot do anything directly carry them to the Lord in prayer and God will comfort you.
4. Don’t ever forget the poor and the disenfranchised. If you tend to the needs of those less fortunate than you and your family you are actually serving Jesus himself, and you will be satisfied.
5. Remember to forgive and to forgive often for you will be forgiven as you forgive. Pray the Our Father and the Act of Contrition at least once every day.
6. The values of the world are different than the values of the Church. The world would have you satisfy your personal urges while the Church reminds us that we live to fulfill God’s desire for us. You will be bombarded with suggestions and reasons why the Church it out of touch with reality. Stay in touch with God and maintain a pure heart by weekly attendance at Mass so that God will know who you are.
7. Finally, don’t worry about what people say about you or names they might call you because you choose to follow Jesus and cling fast to your faith. Remember that they persecuted Jesus, the Apostles and most of the saints in the same way.
So, you commence on a new segment of this journey we call life. Don’t forget that regardless of where you are going to high school your final destination is still heaven. Do everything you can to stay on the narrow path. And if you ever have trouble remember the words Bishop Steib uses so often: God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
God bless you all.
