So who is this blog post for?
This blog post, in all honesty is for me. As I begrudgingly beginning to realize that my Xavier career is coming to close, I must now begin to take seriously what this education has taught me. Questioning what will come and considering what has taken place, I realize that these four years have been a truly captivating and life giving experience. My world view has entirely changed; moreover, my world has changed. In the time that has gone by, I have walked amongst the changes and experienced unexpected insight:
- Death is not necessarily the end.
- A neighbor isn’t just down the street, but sometime across an ocean.
- Love is ever growing.
- Love is undefinable.
- Theology, isn’t for everyone, but everyone needs theology.
A faith struggle is very much apart of the struggle for life. Without the growing pains of challenge and struggle, little development would be possible. We would simply remain comfortably numb and unaffected by our world. These triumphs through struggle give life, hope, and strength. This world that I find myself in now is ruined by the knowledge that has been instilled upon me. As an individual of privilege, I must realize the gifts that I have been given and use them to their full capacity for and with others. I can no longer blindly accept oppression. I can no longer accept a hierarchy that does not allow for progress. I can no longer remain deaf to other faith traditions. I must continue on the wings of progress, aware of the past, but determined for a better tomorrow. As the stage for graduation is setting its foundation, and I prepare to cross the platform, I must consider my own foundation and anticipate what awaits at the next staircase.
Four years ago I had no clue where I was going to go. My friends had all gone to another university, and I was left here at Xavier to go along this journey alone. Now, near the end of this journey, looking back it was clear I had no clue what I was doing, but nonetheless have arrived with some form of success. Along the way I tried hard to please others and myself, but did not always succeed. In fact, there were many times that I failed and was forced to retreat and contemplate on my actions. While I may not have always hit my intended target, the lessons that were learned in those experiences did however teach me things I would have never expected. Coming to Xavier, I did not know if this was going to be the right place for me, but the trust, time, and energy that I have placed in this place has forever changed me, and will forever be with me.
The blessing below is often used to close school masses. It has been a major influence on my education, and I know that I would not be the same without it.
A Final Blessing
The Lord be with you.
(And with your spirit.)Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.
May God bless you
with discomfort at easy answers,
half truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you will live deep within your heart. (Amen!)May God bless you
with anger at injustice,
oppression and exploitation of people,
so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace. (Amen!)May God bless you
with tears to shed for those who suffer
from pain, rejection, starvation, and war,
so that you will reach out your hand
to comfort them and change their pain into joy. (Amen!)May God bless you
with the foolishness to think
that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you will do the things
which others tell you cannot be done. (Amen!)May Almighty God bless you,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Amen!)Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
(Thanks be to God.)**Credit to Br. Darrell Burns, S.J., for this Blessing.**
Notes:
Major Influences through out this blog post can be accredited to Thomas Merton, Johann Metz, Walter Benjamin, Dorothee Soelle, Walker Brueggemann, Chris Pramuk, and the incredible women in my Senior Seminar class who I have the opportunity to learn from each week.
For more on the Theology Program at Xavier University watch the following video. You’ll be surprised what you’ll find.
nicholsrobert 
