THIS IS THE DAY

The words below contain the homily offered at our Baccalaureate service on Saturday, June 5, 2021. 

The Psalm we recited together a few minutes ago contains a beautiful sentence that stirs up my childhood. 

This is the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

I am transported back to my church and my youth group and summer camps.

In fact, to this day, it is hard to SAY those words, after having SUNG them for so many years. Psalms were meant for singing, after all, and we sang this one with gusto. Sounded a little something like this…

        “This is the day 

that the Lord has made;

We will rejoice

And be glad in it.” 

We sang it in rounds, echoing back and forth, over and over, and then, sing faster and faster until all the words just kind of blended together and we ran out of breath. 

Which is pretty ironic, given the claim the Psalmist is making.

THIS is the day the Lord has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in IT.

Today. This day. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Today. We are to rejoice and be glad in THIS day that the Lord has made.

Which is such an incredible message to hear, especially right now.

During this weekend of celebrating the class of 2021, we will reflect on the year that was. All the obstacles we had to overcome as a community. The Senior traditions. The joy of being together this past year face-to-face. It is natural to want to reminisce on your high school experience this weekend. To laugh and cry and be grateful and even grieve a little bit. 

But, the Psalmist is calling us to rejoice and be glad in THIS day.

It is also likely during this weekend of celebration for you to look ahead. To the next season of your life. Perhaps a move to a new city, new friends, new adventures, dorm rooms and new traditions. For our student-athletes, new coaches and teammates. For others, maybe the thrill of rush and Greek life and social clubs. Doing your own laundry. Going to the grocery store for yourself. Declaring a major. Some of you already have even longer-term plans in mind. Pre-med. On track for law school one day. 

But, we hear words this morning to rejoice and be glad in THIS day.

Saturday, June 5, 2021.

If the past fifteenth months have taught us anything, it is that THIS day is a gift from God. In fact, THIS moment - 10:22 a.m. 

If life is SO unpredictable that a pandemic can seemingly come out of nowhere, RIGHT NOW is the only sure thing. It is precious, sacred, to be cherished. THIS day. THIS moment.

So, as we celebrate you, Class of 2021, keep your hearts and minds and prayers on THIS day. The friends and family and teachers that are gathered to support you and cheer you on. TODAY. 

For…

      This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

This is the day that the Lord has made.