DEAR GRADUATES,
AFTER YEARS OF BEING blessed with a Catholic education, with moments of painstaking turmoil, feeling lost and unsure, you used the gifts God gave you to persevere through the difficulties and mounds of homework! Congratulations…you made it!
With smiles, you proudly walked across that stage, shook hands with joy, received your diploma with gratitude and tossed your caps off with shouts of victory!
The community of the faithful are proud of you, and we’re excited to see what God has in store for you. As you look towards the future and transition into the next phase in life you may have challenges, uncertainties, unknowns, changes and experiences of fear. With big hopes and dreams, as you set goals for yourself; or for some, you might not know what direction to go next…I want to offer you some advice.
Always “clothe yourselves in humility in your dealings with one another, For: ‘God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble. So, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he might exalt you…Cast your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.’ (1 Peter 5:5-11)
God’s favor has rested upon you all these years. God will not lose sight of you. In turn, do not lose sight of God. Your union with God and working out your salvation by living a life of virtue and holiness should be your ultimate goal.
God loves you and is with you. He will make you into a humble and holy saint if you but let Him. Go forth
now and set the world ablaze with the fire of God’s Love!
Here are three things to remember and to pray for…
God created you to become a holy saint and has a specific mission for you to fulfill. Therefore, continue to attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of obligation to hear the Word of God and be strengthened by His Eucharistic Presence.
You must hold your relationship with God as your number one priority and work on developing your relationship with Him by deepening your love for Him through daily prayer and reconciling with God in the sacrament of reconciliation at least once a month.
Pray for an increase of faith daily and share your faith and God given gifts and talents with others. Let the light of the Lord shine through you and encourage others with God’s mercy and love.
Here are some Scriptures that you can meditate on.
The Last Supper Discourse: John 14:1-14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (John 14:1)
The Calming of the Storm: Matthew 8:23-27 He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. (Matthew 8:26)
Faith and Works: James 2:14-26 “…faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:18)
Blessing: 1 Peter 1:3-12 “Although you have not seen Him you love Him; even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)