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Opening Mass - Cardinal Gibbons High School
Memorial of Saint Augustine
August 28, 2008

“Stay awake.” These are the words just proclaimed in today’s Gospel. As I begin to preach this homily, maybe I should say the same to you, “Please stay awake.”

Upon arriving in this Diocese a couple of years ago, I met a wonderful young man. He attended a high school a distance from here. He had just been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing extensive treatment. Due to numerous complications, he was unable to be confirmed with his peers. I had the privilege of confirming him in his home during a Mass at which his parents and close relatives were present. I was edified by his faith and the joy he reflected upon being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout his illness, Louis showed perseverance and patience and never lost his sense of humor. Daily, he grew closer and closer to the Lord. His pastor visited him recently and celebrated the Sacraments. They also shared a long conversation during which Louis told Father that he was ready and prepared to meet the Lord. He added that he had only one regret. He said that while, for the most part, he did what he was suppose to in life, he regretted that he had to get sick before he was totally convinced of his great need for the Lord as well as the need to entrust his life to Him. He gave Father permission to share this story and message with other young people and I have been asked to do the same. Louis died earlier this month. He was at peace with the Lord throughout his suffering and at the time of his death. I believe he is with the Lord in the life that never ends.

Like Louis, you are very good young men and women and I know you try to do what the Lord asks of you. But isn’t it true that, at times, especially when things are going well and we seem to have control of our lives, we too can easily forget our great need for the Lord as well as our need to entrust our lives to Him. Thus, we must take seriously the message of Louis: do not delay. I share his words with you not for the purpose of trying to frighten you but so that you may respond to the message of Jesus in today’s Gospel, “Stay awake.” Be vigilant. Again, the Gospel is not meant to frighten you. It is simply telling you that each day is a gift and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Thus, every day we must ask ourselves if we are ready and prepared to meet the Lord. There must be a sense of urgency regarding our spiritual lives and a firm resolve to make it a priority, not simply something we will get to at some later point.

The saint whose feast we celebrate today, Saint Augustine, had everything a young person would want including many worldly possessions and comforts. Yet, through the prayers of his mother and God’s grace, he came to realize that something was missing. He is the saint who stated the famous words, “Lord, you have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” He realized his great need for the Lord. He experienced a conversion, a radical transformation and entrusted his life to the Lord. Augustine shows us the path to holiness.

Dear students, you have been baptized with the Spirit and, like Louis, many of you have been sealed with the Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. At the recent World Youth Day in Australia, our Holy Father told your peers what it means to be sealed with the Spirit. It means to be inalterably changed, a new creation. For those who have received this gift, nothing can be the same! It means being set on fire with the love of God; being refreshed by the Lord’s plan for you and, in turn, being a source of spiritual refreshment for others. It means standing up for Christ and letting the truth of the Gospel permeate the way you see, think and act.

Each day here at CGHS, you are given countless opportunities to live in the Spirit. Do not take them for granted. Be vigilant. Attend the Mass that is celebrated daily. Visit the Chapel to allow the Lord to speak to the silence of your hearts. Actively engage in the learning of our Catholic faith. Participate in the service projects that reach out to those in most need. All these initiatives demonstrate your understanding of your great need for God; your desire to entrust your life to Him; your realization that today is a gift and tomorrow is not guaranteed and your response to the Lord’s command to “stay awake” so that you will always be prepared to meet Him when He calls you to Himself.

Through the intercession of Saint Augustine and Mary Our Mother, may the Lord bless you and the entire CGHS community throughout this academic year and may you be ever convinced of the truth that the Lord our God has made us for Himself and that our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.” Stay awake!