No doubt, you all remember, as if it were yesterday, our very first school Mass. Each class, carried in procession, a light house. We reflected about how lighthouses have important jobs. They help ships find their way to safe harbor by shining their light on the dangerous rocks. After a long sea journey, no doubt, they bring comfort to the sailors, guiding them safe to shore.
We talked about how God does something similar for all of us. God is our light house. Helping us to avoid all the dangers and evils of the world, in order to bring us safely home to heaven. Without the light of God, our lives can turn into one gigantic ship wreck.
Our first school Mass was on September 9, the feast of St. Peter Claver. And we reflected about how the Saints are lighthouses for us as well. The Saints have learned how to shine with the brilliant light of Jesus Christ, and they teach us by their example to do the same.
Finally, we reflected about how each of us are called to be a light house. Guiding others to the light of Jesus Christ.
So, I ask you, students, teachers, parents, when it came to being a lighthouse for Jesus Christ this school year, “How did you do?” You may have been concerned with grades for math, reading, and English, but what grade would you give yourself, for the most important for all grades? For in the end, only one thing matters.
As Jesus Christ himself taught in the Gospel today, the greatest commandment of them all, isn’t to be involved in sports, isn’t to be the most popular kid in school, isn’t to be the best actor, or the class clown, or the prettiest, or strongest, or fastest, or most creative. The greatest commandment, the only way to truly shine with the light of God, is by “Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
St. Paul wrote in our second reading today, that God chose us to be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. “How did you do?” Parents, what grade would you give to your children. Students, what grade would you give your parents?
Can you say that you followed St. Paul’s teaching, “in everything you do, do in the name of the Lord Jesus?”
As the school year ends, no doubt each of you have learned that shining with the light of God’s love is not always easy. Sometimes, we flat out fail, sometimes, we even get into shipwrecks.
But the Lord shows mercy to his people, as we heard in the prophet Isaiah. Even when we fail to love as we should, God calls us to repent and try again.
Your vocation, your calling to shine with the light of God, of course does not end with the school year, but continues through summer vacation and for the rest of your lives. There is no vacation from vocation. So plan on coming to Mass every week, for we can never love God with your whole heart, without gathering with our fellow Christians on the Lord’s Day; Continue to pray with your families at home, for their will never be the peace God wants for your families, without family prayer; come into the confessional from time to time this Sunday, admit your faults, receive God’s forgiveness, and be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient with each other, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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