EASTER 7-C, May 20, 2007

This weekend we are honoring our high school and college graduates. Each one already has heard or certainly will hear one or two speeches before receiving his or her diploma or degree. Perhaps it is simply providential that today’s Gospel reading is part of Jesus’ commencement address to his followers. In essence he is telling them that classes are over and he has taught them all he could. Now, before he heads off to Calvary, he is giving them one last piece of advice and some words of encouragement so that they will be strong and confident to teach others what he taught them.

Far be it from me to try to upstage Jesus, our Presiding Bishop who was the baccalaureate speaker at Coe College or any other of these illustrious commencement speakers. But, of course, it is my bounden duty to say something, some of which may be remembered, most of which will be forgotten, all of which, in one manner or another, both our graduates and all of us here have heard before.

One of my heroes in my quasi-radical priest days was Daniel Berrigan. Actually, I never had radical days. I had a radical five minutes my final year in seminary when a sermon I preached almost got me thrown out. But that was it. I was never as radical as Berrigan because I never had the guts of Daniel Berrigan. That is not to say that I always agreed with him or with his tactics. It is only to say that there are times when it takes great courage and conviction to stand up for what one believes because in doing so one might very well land in jail – as did Paul and Berrigan and Martin Luther King, Jr., or be killed, as were Paul and King. I never had that courage or conviction, I am ashamed to admit.

So much for my confession, yet the question still remains: Why were these men, why were the followers of Jesus, why have millions of people since Jesus been strong, courageous, faithful, unafraid? I don’t know, but I have an idea. It comes from re-reading a book Berrigan wrote over twenty-five years ago. It’s titled Ten Commandments for the Long Haul. As Christians we, as graduates you, are indeed in it for the long haul.

Let me share with you, our graduates, both in Berrigan’s words and my own ten, if not commandments, at least pieces of advice to take with you as you begin a new journey in your life. Jesus said the same thing in different words to his Apostles at that Last Supper commencement address.

First: Call on Jesus when all else fails. Call on Him when all else succeeds (except that never happens). If we allow Jesus to be part of our life, in good times and in bad, when all is going well and all is falling apart, we will never be alone and we will never have to go it alone.

Second: Don't be afraid to be afraid or appalled to be appalled. How do you think the trees feel these days, or the whales, or, for that matter, most humans? There are some frightening and appalling things going on in this world. Fear those who can take your life or harm you in any way. Be appalled because, whether you believe it or not, you are capable of such deeds. We all are.

Third: Keep your soul to yourself. (Soul is a possession worth paying for; they're growing rarer.) In other words, don’t sell your soul to anyone or anything. Don’t sell out to the gods of power, wealth, success. They are all false gods and they will have your soul in the end if you let them.

Fourth: About practically everything in the world, there's nothing you can do. This is Socratic wisdom. However, about of few things you can do something. Do it, with a good heart. We can do only so much. Our gifts and talents, our time and our resources are limited. Make the best of the gifts with which you have been blessed – everyday.

Fifth: On a long drive, there's bound to be a dull stretch or two. Don't go anywhere with someone who expects you to be interesting all the time. And don't be hard on your fellow travelers or yourself. Try to smile after a coffee stop. The body, the mind and the spirit all need to be refreshed. Life, on its own, gives us those times of refreshment. Take them even if they are really, really dull. You’ll appreciate it and be thankful later when you get caught in the traffic jam just ahead.

Sixth: Practically no one has the stomach to love you, if you don't love yourself. They just endure. So do you. Often the most difficult person to love is the one staring back at us in the bathroom mirror. We’re not saints. We’re simply forgiven sinners. We all make mistakes. We are never perfect. God loves us just the same. We need to learn how to love ourselves more and more each day.

Seventh: About healing: The gospels tell us that this was Jesus' specialty and he was heard to say: "Take up your couch and walk!" There will be times when you are down and out; down, down, down and see no way up. No matter how horrible the situation, no matter how bad the mess you’ve made of everything, Jesus is there with an outstretched hand to help you find new life. Remember, there is always resurrection. Jesus always offers resurrection, but you need to do the rising up. Neither Jesus nor anyone else will do it for you.

Eighth: When traveling on an airplane, watch the movie, but don't use the earphones. Then you'll be able to see what's going on, but not understand what's happening, and so you'll feel right at home, little different then you do on the ground. Life is very complicated. It will never be not so, not in this life anyway. You will always have more questions than answers. Welcome to the real world.

Ninth: Start with the impossible. Proceed calmly towards the improbable. No worry, there are at least five exits. The road less traveled is also the more difficult road. There will be times when we start down that road that we have to take the nearest or next exit. We are in over our heads. We all make mistakes. There is no shame in admitting that we have. It is only foolishness if we are too proud or too stubborn not too because we will only make the road more difficult and matters worse.

Tenth: Know that sometimes the only writing material you have is your own blood. You will discover, if you have not already, that only that which you are willing to die for is what is truly valuable: family, friends, faith. All else is passing fancy, temporarily pleasing and never, in the end, satisfying. This is a difficult lesson to learn but one that must be learned if you want to find true happiness in this life.

There you have it: ten commandments, suggestions, ideas for the long haul, namely, for the rest of your life. You won’t remember all of them or, perhaps, any of them. But the truth is that if, somehow in some way they become part of you, your journey through this life will be eventful and fun. It will also be difficult and disturbing and it will be wondrous and wonderful. Enjoy the trip.