Looking Ahead – Onward and Upward, a Graduation Homily
It is May; across our country students are graduating from high schools, colleges and universities with hopes and plans for their future. Meanwhile, their parents are sharing in the joys of their children’s successes but also experiencing the anxieties and fears of their departing from home.
Perhaps the following words will encourage and strengthen both young and old at this momentous season.
Greetings in Christ.
Congratulations on your graduation and the work you have done to arrive at this special day.
It has been said that life may be likened to a journey. There is a beginning – direction – movement – progress – obstacles – successes and failures – as each person travels toward goals, intermediate and ultimate.
Today, you are completing one segment of that greater journey of life and begin looking ahead to the next. Today, you are to be commended and for tomorrow, you are to be challenged.
With that in mind, I am honored to have this opportunity to offer a few words of encouragement from Holy Scripture …. some thoughts that may serve as stepping-stones to guide you, or a foundation on which to build, or a launching pad to propel you into your future.
I call your attention to St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his beloved spiritual son. St Paul is nearing the end of his journey and young Timothy is beginning a new segment of his – as Bishop of Ephesus.
We may well suppose that Timothy was homeschooled by his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, in his early years (II Timothy 1:5) – both academically and in the faith. Later, when St. Paul came to Lystra on his second missionary journey, he asked that Timothy join him. So, Timothy was “enrolled” in St. Paul’s “seminary”.
From his writing, it is clear that St. Paul had a great love for his young student and confidence that he would be prepared for the next phase of his calling from God ….. “I remember the genuine faith that is in you … “(vs. 5); “stir up the gift of God which is in you …” (vs. 6); “do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord …”(vs. 8); “Hold fast to the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me …”(vs.13).
So now, with his own departure approaching, St. Paul calls for Timothy’s graduation and challenges him to follow his example for a successful, God-pleasing journey through life:
“Though I suffer these things, I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (II Timothy 1:12).
These words from the pen of the great Apostle offer four trustworthy truths to any young graduate as he/she looks onward and upward to their future.
1. Plant your feet – “I know …” This is not a statement of arrogance nor pride but of humble conviction. It is a noble thing to find the truth and stand on it, even if alone and at any cost. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).
2. Point your finger – “I know Whom I have believed…” Here, St. Paul is quick to acknowledge the source of truth. Likewise, there are those who have provided the basis of your conviction. As you stand on truth, give them special places of honor in your life …. God, Parents, Teachers, Church. What they have given you is a precious inheritance.
3. Plan your future – “and am persuaded that He is able to keep …. until that Day”. What you commit to Him is safe and secure – your heart, your mind, your body, your gifts, talents, service, virtues. The Lord spoke through the prophet, Jeremiah, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). You are indeed laying up treasures in Heaven when you give God your future.
4. Praise your Father – Although this is not in the text, St. Paul always reminds us that every day and in all circumstances of life, be grateful to God. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God …” (I Thessalonians 5:18).
By following in the footsteps of St. Paul and St. Timothy, you, too, can expect a worthwhile future ahead. And, by the grace of God, you will hear those wonderful words on that Last Day, “Well done, good and faithful servant …. enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21).
Now, look ahead – onward and upward; God is with you!!
Fr. Andrew
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