We are Sent

The beginning of summer usually brings with it graduations—from high school, from college, from middle school, and in some places, even from Kindergarten.  Sometimes, these ceremonies are referred to as commencements, which is a fitting description.  Often, speakers at graduations will note that it is not the end of something, but the beginning.

So, let’s think about the words “graduation” and “commencement.”  Graduation brings to mind some kind of a change, a stepping up, or a stepping out.  When a person graduates they move on from one part of their life or schooling, to another part.  While they leave one part, they begin something new.  Similarly, “commencement” is the noun form of the verb “to commence,” which is a synonym for “to begin.”  Participants in commencement ceremonies are beginning a new stage of their lives.

In my work with the RCIA program this year, I have tried to have the same sort of attitude.  I stressed to those in the program that the Easter Vigil was not the end (though it was the climax), it was the beginning.  We had our final get-together on Tuesday night, and this was the sign I made for our party.

As I was considering what the sign should say, I thought of the words the priest says at the dismissal at the end of Mass.  There are several options for him to choose from:  “Go forth, the Mass is ended,” “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life,” or simply, “Go in peace.”  Each of these is an exhortation to go, and to carry God with us to others as we do.  Thus, just as a graduation or a commencement is the beginning of a new stage of life, we can see the end of Mass as the beginning of the rest of our week, or if we attend daily Mass, the rest of our day.

What efforts can you make to keep the spirit of Mass with you after you leave Mass?