Homily to NDMU Graduates

Homily to NDMU Graduates 2000
Fr. George Carin

Today, I look at you and I see smiles on your faces. A smile that could paint a thousand words. And if I may interpret some, behind your sweet smiles, I can see the smile of liberation, the smile of thanks, and the smile of hope.

First is the smile of liberation, because I'm sure that you feel happy for being liberated from the rigid ritual that every student has to perform: the grind of attending classes, the pressure of preparing and taking exams, and the anxiety of meeting the dead line of submitting term papers. Not to discount, the agony of coping with the increasing tuition fees. All that is behind you now.

Second is the smile of thanks, because I know that despite the pains of the struggle to get a university education, you survive a victor. You emerge as a better human being, a more responsible person. Thanks to the persons who have helped this reality possible in your life today: your parents, for their inestimable sacrifices, your school administrators and teachers, for their passion and dedication to give you a competitive and quality education.

Third is the smile of hope, because I know that you look at the world out there not as desperate data, but as challenges and opportunities. As graduates molded with the gospel values, you should embrace the world not as an enemy, but a friend. A friend who is waiting for your love and service to be shaped according the values of God's kingdom.

The gospel today speaks of the fig tree. In the story, Jesus is suggesting to cut the fig tree that does not bear fruit. Of course, Jesus did not mean to be anti-ecology. He was simply alluding to the leadership of the Scribes and Pharisees. A system of leadership that only caters to their own selfish interest and power at the expense of people's lives. The fig tree that needs to be cut refers to a life-style that sucks the poor rather than serving them. A way of life that is really opposed to the building of God's kingdom of justice and love.

To bear much fruit is expected of every fig tree. Because such is the nature of fig trees. In our times, we are these fig trees. As Christians, what should flow naturally from us are the fruits of love and justice. Our faith in Christ should move us to re-invent our society with the culture of peace and justice. A life moved with compassion especially for the marginalized in our society. This is the challenge that the gospel confronts us this morning.

And this is especially so to you Notre Dame graduates, much is expected of you. Not every Filipino youth in this country enjoys the same opportunity as you have. Not every college graduate in this country gets an education and training that guarantees competitiveness and quality. Not every Christian is privilege to undergo a university education that makes the gospel values as the core-curriculum.

Indeed, much is expected from you. You are not only professionals. But you are graduates of Notre Dame. And as Notre Damians, you are expected to assume the leadership in the task of building a just and loving society. You must excel in your love for the poor and the marginalized in our society. Such is the marked of a genuine Notre Damian. Because Mother Mary has shown us this same compassion and love for the poor in her own life.

What hurts and betrays Notre Dame is when Notre Damians fail to live up to Her ideals. When you turn out to be self-serving professionals rather than exemplars of service for others. When you become exploiters and oppressors rather than servants of justice and liberation. What bleeds Her heart is when we sow hatred rather than love, when you hold on to lies rather the continuing search for the truth.

Perhaps, as you move on to shape your future out there in the real world, you may forget some of the good things that you have learned in the university. You may fail to remember the non-essentials, but always hold on to the three basic postures of the real Notre Damian. The posture of sitting, walking, and kneeling. The "sitting posture" leads you to reflect and plan your life. The "walking posture" leads you to action. Reflections and plans are not enough. It needs doing. The "kneeling posture" leads you to prayer, for without God, we can do nothing. This is the most important posture of all. Because such keeps us in touch, in the most profound way, with the Spirit in us - The Spirit that makes all things new.

So good luck. And May God bless you.