“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7)
It’s that time of year — commencements, graduations, confirmations — some of the most important events in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Graduation ceremonies, of course, require a speaker — someone who will impart great wisdom to the new crop of graduates, sharing knowledge and experience that will help them in their future endeavors. While reflecting on my own graduations, I realized that I had no recollection of the speakers, neither who they were nor what they said. They probably had thoughtful, even inspirational, messages, but whatever they said didn’t stay in my memory bank for very long. Admittedly, as some might point out, these events were a long time ago, but I hope some deep, profound words to live by didn’t just slip right past me. And that doesn’t mean that graduation speakers don’t have anything worthwhile to contribute — maybe we just need to be more attentive.
This passage from the Gospel of Matthew would probably be a fitting addition to any graduation speech or confirmation sermon. These words of our Lord don’t assure us that the future will be filled with comfort and ease. Jesus was telling his listeners that life as his followers would hold many possibilities, but they had to take some action. He also reassured them that they were not alone in their journeys, as he was always there to lead and guide them.
Sometimes we ask, but it’s either the wrong question or we don’t like or understand the answer. We may search, but have a problem deciding or understanding what we’re actually searching for. And we might knock on a door, and be disappointed at what we find when it opens. The constant is God’s love for us, the knowledge that Jesus was sent to live in our world, to teach us and be in our lives. Jesus will find us even if we aren’t doing a very good job of searching for him, and he will open the door for us, and give us what he knows we need.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers