GO
By: Andrea Beyke
In a letter from Saint Mother Theodore Guerin to her Sisters
in Jasper in 1943, she tells them, “We cannot do our work if we all stay in the
nest.” These words ring true to our
graduates at this time of endings and new beginnings. Momma Teddy has a way of continuing to speak
to us, doesn’t she?
She’s saying GO. Get
out. Beat it. Scram.
Go in peace. But go…you must
go.
When we look back throughout Christian history, we find this
theme of being sent forth. To Adam and
Eve, God said GO…leave the garden and navigate the way. God told Noah to build the ark; take the animals
and your family and GO. Moses was told
to “GO to Pharaoh” from the bush that burned.
Ruth’s words to Naomi were, “Where you GO I will GO.” (Ruth 1:15) And finally, Jesus told his
followers, “GO therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:16) Over and over, God says GO.
And so we send our graduates, not to Nineveh like Jonah or
to Pharaoh like Moses, but we send you to find your own niche. Your having been
here will have made a difference. The
wisdom you have acquired will have changed your hearts. Your having shared in the charisms of Providence
will have developed your spirituality.
Having been drawn together here at the Woods, reminded of your firm
foundation, strengthened in understanding, and nourished for the journey, there is
nothing left but to go. Go in that same
peace that the world cannot give.
Too much remains to be done in this world
for Woodsies to rest turned in on themselves.
So, we send you. Go and live the
stories you’ve remembered. Go and be God’s
great gift of love. Go and be Saint
Mother Theodore Guerin’s mission in the world.
And above all, know that a piece of this sacred place will go with you.
Although I've been out of school for a very long time, I found this to be a wonderful reflection and reminder of what it means to graduate from SMWC, and what our mission must be, from the first day as a graduate to our dying day. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement!
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