Do you remember what happened when you were born? Great joy and happiness for the family and friends. You are the crown of your parent’s love. In 1st reading: “I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!” In the psalm 139: “Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” God did very nice job on you.
I would change a little of the Gospel today. When your mother gave birth to you, your relatives and neighbors knew that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward your mother and father, and they rejoiced with them. When the time came, people were going to call you like Xavier, Gonzaga, Marquette, Loyola. But, your mom said, “No. He will be called John.” “No, her name is Carroll.” Again, your father said, “John is his name.” “She will be called Carroll.” Immediately your parents’ mouths were opened, their tongues freed, and they spoke blessing God. Here you are as Johns and Carrolls at John Carroll University! Then fear came upon all your relatives and neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord is with her. The child is growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he is at John Carroll University until the day of God’s manifestation to them.
“What, then, will you be?” (Questions) Since you have similar stories like John the Baptist, let’s look at him. First of all, God took great delight in John like you. John knew that love and privilege and didn’t waste it. He consciously chose to live the will of God and disciplined himself in the desert. As Jim Collins says, “Greatness is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline.” You have to choose what is right and discipline yourself to live it out. Second, you have many desires to be someone remarkable, to do something remarkable. You are full of desires. I love that energy, that restless heart, because, without that desire, you would never get up in the morning. You would never have ventured beyond the front door. You would never have read a book or learned something new. No desire means no life, no growth, no change. Desire is energy, the energy of creativity, the energy of life itself. So let’s not be too hard on desire. Look at it and understand it.
About twenty years ago, I sat in your chair. My mind was wandering to quest what I was going to do, how, and what I would be. The campus was gorgeous like the ladies; my dreams were audacious like the king’s. What I missed, however, was one simple truth. As Woody Allen said, “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” Show up for the classes, meetings, and events on the campus. You will find your place.
Know who you are. You are the one percent of the world population who can have a college education. My friend Pat in Ecuador said, you have no right to fail. Therefore, be humble like John the Baptist who said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.” The Scripture Sirach says, “My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God. For great is the power of God; the humble he is glorified. What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not. What is committed to you, attend to; for what is hidden is not your concern” (Sirach 3:17-21). This humility will make you remarkable with your desires and your will. The new era has come. Remember you are fearfully, wonderfully made. God bless you.
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