Quiet. Be still.
Now that you are done with law school, obviously, your next step is to prepare for that Bar. That is given. I, we, do not have, at all, doubts that you will make it. After what you have gone through, for no less than eight semesters, after all the trials and preparations, you had to many times, painfully endure with all the prayers from around you.
There truly is no iota of doubt in us that you will successfully hurdle the Bar examination. The only uncertainty is whether or not you would be included in the top ten.
Soon after you have taken your oath as lawyers by January 2025, you will have to ask the big question now: What am I to do now?
This question is that I would want you to begin pondering as early as now as you will no longer be with me here in this campus. It is my hope that you remember this when the time comes, for you to decide on what to do after the bar. Among all the jobs, all the offers that will be, of course, brought to you and you will gladly accept a fervently pray; that you intentionally nurture within you a deep joy, and make us but also yourselves proud and happy.
Howard Thurman, known as the Godfather of the Civil Rights Movement, during the 60s, also the spiritual adviser of the great [great] Martin Luther King Junior, suggests a beautiful way to begin considering answer to that question: What am I to do?
He says, ask what makes you come alive, and go, do it. What is it that keeps you from merely etching out an existence, passively and miserably letting life pass you day by day? What is it that makes you feel truly, fully alive? Sunshine in your bones, starlight in your soul, overflowing with deep down joy. It may be different for each one, just as personalities and temperaments vary. But there is one common denominator that makes for the possibility of men and women truly, fully alive, since time immemorial. And, that is, love.
I don’t claim to be saying anything new. I know it may even come off as cheesy. But those who have found joy in the [sight] of heaven, and have lived life to the health, across generations, know this to be true.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux points out that, and I quote, “Without love, even the most brilliant deeds come as nothing.” Clearly, love is the answer. Love is your guide. But, we ask: What does love look like? St. Augustine describes it for us. He says that it has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sigh and sorrow of all. That is love, or that is how it looks like. Plato confirms it. He says by caring about the happiness of others, we find our own.
We, the Benedictine monks, the administrators, my beautiful faculty here, unparalleled in beauty, and all the other personnel of this institution including of course, the great Leo, have worked and sacrificed so much for all you. Keeping on in fervent prayer that you get to do what makes you truly feel alive. To do work and deeds with love, and always with love. Do this, and you will be more than alright. We believe this to be true. We believe in you.
A memorable scene towards the end of the movie, “Saving Private Ryan,” has Tom Hanks playing the role, Captain John Miller. He was sent to rescue Private Ryan from the battlefield in France during deadly World War II. Three of his brothers have already died fighting. In this particular scene, Captain Miller has been shot, seriously wounded, and is dying. Private Ryan has been pulled out of fighting and is to go to home. He sees the man who fought to save his life is dying and limbs to hear his last words: Earn this. Earn it.
To you my dear graduates, earn this, please. And, do not let our arduous work and difficult sacrifices made for you to reach this point, go to waste. Earn for yourself the true happiness and respect, and accolades of all.
Make us smile always in knowing what you will do in the future, what makes you truly feel alive? Above all, love courageously.
Thank you, and congratulations.