Baccalaureate Sermon
Learning from the Past, Growing into the future.
Tonight, we are gathered together to celebrate your accomplishment of graduating high school. Now I want you to stop and think of all the people and events that have gotten you to this point. Yes, I am talking about your mom waking you up in the morning. Your mom picking out your clothes for your first day of school. Now that you have thought about this past year. (laughter) I also want you to think back to elementary school. Going to a new place, in which you do not know all the people but you know that you have to and that you will grow from the experience. Beginning to learn and grow. The first times that you began meeting your classmates.
As the years went by, you grew smarter. You figured out that recess was not a subject in school. You read books, you learned details, had many projects. You learned about things that you would use on a daily basis and you began to learn things that you have not found a use for yet. You began to understand who was your friend and all the things that you had in common. As you grew in years, you continued in your journey of faith as well. You began to understand who God was and what gifts God had given to you to share with the community that you were in.
Just a few years ago, I was graduating, not from high school but with a degree in college. The person gave us some advice that I want to warn you about. It went something like this: “it’s time to head into the real world…it’s time to start your life. So let me give you some advice…carpe diem…look inside yourself…follow your heart…obey your passions… dare to dream and chart your own course...stay open-minded…always express your inner spirit…carpe diem…and above all,” boomed the popular voice as it climbed to a crescendo, “always…whatever you do…march to the beat of your own drum.” I looked over at one of my friends and we just smiled and chuckled. If you were to see me dance and I was dancing to the rhythm of my drum, you would probably ask me if I needed to sit down because my hip had given out. Walking around and always thinking of yourself will make you the very center of everything. It will place you against your classmates and against even your own parents. Now take a moment and look around. Look at the person on your left, look at the person on your right, and look for your parents. These are the people who you have been with for most of your life. They have been with you for years. You may have had your quarrels or fights. You might have both liked the same girl or guy. Regardless, these are the people who have been with you through it all.
So instead of placing yourself on a pedestal, strive instead to make the community and the people you are with be of great joy. So my sincere advice to you comes from God. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Share the love that God has given to you with the people who surround you. Strive to make the world a better place in which all have a joyful voice of loving and caring for one another.
So what does graduation really mean? What is this that we are celebrating? Truly, it is another chapter of your life that is complete. One chapter that you are closing and another that you are opening. Graduation means that you have learned a great deal, you have completed these grades and now you are able to shape and form the world that you are apart of. You have been given lessons that will help you understand the faults and successes of those who have gone before you. You have understood that choices have consequences. So as you are growing into your future, you may help everyone feel and be loved. We gather to honor you as you continue on your journey of life and faith. So as you look to the future, take the lessons of the past and grow into the future that God has given to you to share your gifts, talents and love with all whom you encounter.
Tonight, we are gathered together to celebrate your accomplishment of graduating high school. Now I want you to stop and think of all the people and events that have gotten you to this point. Yes, I am talking about your mom waking you up in the morning. Your mom picking out your clothes for your first day of school. Now that you have thought about this past year. (laughter) I also want you to think back to elementary school. Going to a new place, in which you do not know all the people but you know that you have to and that you will grow from the experience. Beginning to learn and grow. The first times that you began meeting your classmates.
As the years went by, you grew smarter. You figured out that recess was not a subject in school. You read books, you learned details, had many projects. You learned about things that you would use on a daily basis and you began to learn things that you have not found a use for yet. You began to understand who was your friend and all the things that you had in common. As you grew in years, you continued in your journey of faith as well. You began to understand who God was and what gifts God had given to you to share with the community that you were in.
Just a few years ago, I was graduating, not from high school but with a degree in college. The person gave us some advice that I want to warn you about. It went something like this: “it’s time to head into the real world…it’s time to start your life. So let me give you some advice…carpe diem…look inside yourself…follow your heart…obey your passions… dare to dream and chart your own course...stay open-minded…always express your inner spirit…carpe diem…and above all,” boomed the popular voice as it climbed to a crescendo, “always…whatever you do…march to the beat of your own drum.” I looked over at one of my friends and we just smiled and chuckled. If you were to see me dance and I was dancing to the rhythm of my drum, you would probably ask me if I needed to sit down because my hip had given out. Walking around and always thinking of yourself will make you the very center of everything. It will place you against your classmates and against even your own parents. Now take a moment and look around. Look at the person on your left, look at the person on your right, and look for your parents. These are the people who you have been with for most of your life. They have been with you for years. You may have had your quarrels or fights. You might have both liked the same girl or guy. Regardless, these are the people who have been with you through it all.
So instead of placing yourself on a pedestal, strive instead to make the community and the people you are with be of great joy. So my sincere advice to you comes from God. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Share the love that God has given to you with the people who surround you. Strive to make the world a better place in which all have a joyful voice of loving and caring for one another.
So what does graduation really mean? What is this that we are celebrating? Truly, it is another chapter of your life that is complete. One chapter that you are closing and another that you are opening. Graduation means that you have learned a great deal, you have completed these grades and now you are able to shape and form the world that you are apart of. You have been given lessons that will help you understand the faults and successes of those who have gone before you. You have understood that choices have consequences. So as you are growing into your future, you may help everyone feel and be loved. We gather to honor you as you continue on your journey of life and faith. So as you look to the future, take the lessons of the past and grow into the future that God has given to you to share your gifts, talents and love with all whom you encounter.
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