Call To Worship: December 2011 Baccalaureate Mass
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me, he has sent me…
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus…
They said to John the Baptist, “What do you have to say for yourself?”and he said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’”…
It’s not a coincidence that these quotes come from today’s readings. It’s not by mistake that in just a few minutes the first reading will tell us that we are being sent forth to do great things. I don’t think it’s an accident that today’s second reading is about giving thanks in all circumstances because it is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus. Someone didn’t randomly pick out a Gospel about testifying to the light and making straight the way of the Lord.
We are here this morning to receive a message. A message about trusting in God’s will for us, about having the courage to go where we are sent, about doing what is right and continuing to stick to our values and our faith. Coming here together today symbolizes so much more than the place we go to on Sundays, or a bunch of people that don’t have to go to classes any more. This isn’t just Baccalaureate Mass – it’s a symbol of our faith.
Our faith in God – that He loves us, has a plan for us, and will give us the grace and talents to go out and do His will in our professions.
Our faith in Gannon – that this community has taught us that there is something greater than ourselves, and that we will always be able to come home here.
And our faith in ourselves – that whether we are employed or not, whether we are going in the same direction we originally planned or if our goals have changed, and whether we even know what we’re doing tomorrow, or if we’ll figure that out after we get past not tripping walking across the stage this afternoon – faith in ourselves that we, as the Gannon University December Class of 2011 are being sent by God to do great things.
For those of us that are being sent forth from here and leaving Gannon, today is a difficult day – one of trying to hold onto these messages of faith, hope, and love while being confronted by worries of the future, anxiety, and a sharp reality of what will happen to you after you’ve taken off your cap and gown and you finally hold your diploma in your hand.
But no matter what path any of you choose to take, remember to always return to Mass and your faith. Be strong in the Lord, and never give up hope – we are called to do great things.
So, as we come now to Mass with our Lord, to share our faith, pray with our graduates, and celebrate the end of the semester, let us stand and greet those around us, and welcome each other and the Lord into our hearts.
