The word “graduation” derives from the Latin “gradus,” which means step.
Some people view “graduation” as an end, a conclusion, the last thing left. This mentality is incorrect; it does not correspond to the meaning of “graduation.”
Instead, graduation is a step within an even more incredible adventure. It implies that the journey is not yet over and that there is more on the horizon to discover.
Numerous English words are associated with graduation: gradually, grade, graduate, upgrade, downgrade, gradation, etc. All these words have to do with a “step.” Of course, we have 1st grade, 2nd grade, etc., which means the first step, the second step, and so forth. We might take this for granted, but 1st—12th grade implies an adventure, a path of many steps.
I’d argue that there are two types of people in life: those who do not take the step and remain in their comfort zones and those who dare to step out of their comfort zones and go on an adventure.
“Be not afraid” is the most repeated phrase throughout the biblical narrative. Let me translate these words into graduation language: be not afraid to take the step and to go on an adventure. The great saints of the Catholic Church follow in the footsteps of Christ and step into an adventure, even if it’s painful, challenging, and intimidating. The saints do not remain hunkered down in fear and comfort.
We face “graduation” moments every day. Because of original sin and its effects, it's tempting to hunker down in fear and stay in our comfort zones. It’s very tempting to go through life and avoid adventure by not taking a difficult step. But this is not the path of holiness. We are called to adventure.
This is clearly understood in the following quote, “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships are built for” (John A. Shedd).
Jesus could have remained in Nazareth, but He took the steps to Jerusalem, to the Cross. Peter and Paul could have stayed in Jerusalem. Instead, they stepped into an adventure with the Lord. This adventure led them both to Rome and their respective martyrdoms.
J.R.R. Tolkien captures the meaning of “graduation” in his remarkable book The Hobbit. Tolkien’s opening line reflects a fearful soul, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit….it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” Bilbo Baggins represents you and me. We have moments when we want to remain in our comfort zones (our hobbit holes) because of fear. We want things to be comfortable, unchanging, and without challenges. Yet, a hobbit-hole lacks adventure, which we are built for.
Further in the story, Gandalf arrives and knocks on the door of Bilbo’s hobbit home. He says to Bilbo, “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.” Unfortunately, Bilbo responds to Gandalf’s remarkable offer with the words of a fearful soul, “We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures.”
How true this is in life! God knocks on the doors of our minds and hearts with an opportunity to go on an adventure, yet sadly, many of us avoid it. We don’t take the step.
Graduation demands a courageous soul yearning for adventure, a soul willing to step out of “what used to be” and into “what is to come.”
I must confess that there have been moments in my life when I’ve been like the fearful Bilbo Baggins. I’ve had moments when the Lord challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. The timid soul can often respond to the Lord’s invitation with words similar to Bilbo, “I have no use for an adventure with you.”
I remember being called by God to consider the priesthood, and it flooded me with fear, worry, and anxiety. I tried to ignore it, push it to the side, etc., for some time. Like Bilbo, I tried to hunker down in the hobbit hole of my life. I also tried not to invite challenges or change into my hobbit hole.
If your parents, relatives, and friends were to be very transparent with you, they could identify moments when they avoided taking a step and chose to remain in their comfort zones. Many of us can recall moments when we hesitated to take the step because of fear. We hunkered down in the small world of comfort. Life is boring when we are not on an adventure filled with fear and stagnancy!
Bilbo Baggins, of course, doesn’t remain in his hobbit hole. He eventually goes on an adventure. Bilbo steps out of his comfort zone. He quickly begins to see the wider world. Bilbo begins to identify and notice talents that he never knew he had. He begins to appreciate challenges and change. Bilbo even begins to forget about himself in service to others.
Graduation demands that we step out of ourselves and ask, “Will I take major steps in my life on my own or with others?” Bilbo quickly learns that the adventure with Gandalf is not on his own. He meets remarkable people along the way who challenge him and even carry him when he’s weak.
How true this is in life! We must remember that the adventure of life is one that we can walk with others. We can take the most significant steps alongside others rather than alone. We can talk with Christ about significant steps in our lives. We can discuss the challenging steps ahead with our family members and friends.
At the end of the book, Bilbo and Gandalf sit down together after a remarkable adventure that includes danger, friendship, sacrifice, fighting in a war, and much more. Gandalf tells Bilbo, “You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" Bilbo responds, "Thank goodness!"
Such is the response of a soul that has taken a step beyond one’s comfort zone and into the broader world of adventure, purpose, and mission. It’s a place of gratitude and the realization that we are built for something greater than ourselves. It’s this place where we find the saints. It’s this place where we find our vocation and purpose in life. It’s where 1st—12th grade (along with other graduation levels) has been heading.
Graduation reminds us to step out of ourselves and into a more incredible adventure with the Lord. Graduation is not an end. Instead, it’s another step in the journey.
+ Fr. Ben Daghir