Do you know what JCU’s mission statement is? As a Jesuit Catholic university, John Carroll inspires individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and in the world.
What’s your mission statement that says who you are? If you don’t have one, consider this that Jesus gives to you. “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
Your mission here at John Carroll is to cure the sick by healing the culture of death and taking part in pro-life activities such as March for Life, Relay for Life, and to raise the dead by giving hope to those who do not have a chance to learn such as teaching the inner city children, and to cleanse the lepers by befriending those who suffer from social, economical discrimination such as Labre going out to feed and get to know the homeless in Cleveland, and to drive out demons by being men and women for others who live Jesus’ mission.
It is all about saving lives. It is the Good News, the Gospel, being God for others. You may wonder who you are called to do this. Think about Joseph in the first reading. Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers and yet he came back not reproaching his brothers but saving them. You are Joseph the dreamer who is called to dream about God’s plan for you. Life in the university is all about dreaming. If you dream to do something remarkable, the dream will be come true. If you dream to do well in your study, you will do it. What you dream is what you become. Dream big, not just for yourself but also for others because without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
There is a little book called “If the world were a village of 100 people.” It says: If 100 people lived in this village, 52 would be women 48 would be men. 61 would be Asians, 13 Africans, 13 from North and South America, 12 Europeans, and the remaining one from the South Pacific. But, consider this as well. Of the 100 people in this village, 20 are undernourished, 1 is dying of starvation, while 15 are overweight. 6 people own almost 60% of wealth, 74 people own 38% and 20 people share the remaining 2%. Of the energy of this village, 20 people consume 80%, and 80 people share the remaining 20%. If you have money in the bank and in your wallet, you are among the richest 8. If you have a car, you are among the richest 7. Among the villagers, 14 cannot read, 2 have computers, only 1 has a college education.
Have you ever thought what makes you be in the top 1%? Why are you so blessed not like 99% of people that you often do not see? I have been fortunate to travel to over 30 countries, including Bolivia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Uganda, Madagascar. I cannot tell how come they suffer so much from the lack of the necessities like water, bread, and simple medicine. I don’t accuse God to make this happen, rather, I treasure Jesus’ command: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” If we share, there would be no starvation as well as no overweight. Next four years your mission is to learn how to give without reservation.
If you dream big and follow the mission, Jesus promises that the laborer deserves his keep. I can tell it will be worthy experiences that John Carroll promises you. Joseph the dreamer, live out your mission to save lives and celebrate with the rest of the world, which is the life with mission and which is worth living.