A Graduation Gift

Dear friend,

 

The furthest I traveled from my house this week was down my driveway and to our mailbox. This is the same walk I’ll be taking in a few days as I receive my diploma, in my cap and gown, as my mom, dad, and brother proudly applaud from our doorstep. Who knew I would be watching my graduation ceremony on our living room couch, and who knew I would be having intellectual debates about my soul in my bedroom over a video call? Yet here we are. 

 

I am a 22-year-old senior in college, and for the first few weeks of quarantine, I was convinced that I was being robbed of the best months of my college career. However, the weekly IKON class discussions along with the grace of God have given me a fresh perspective on the whole situation. I wasn’t robbed at all; I was gifted with time and silence to pray. To pray about everything I had learned, to finally ask God the questions I had left on the back burner, to wrestle through the words of St. John Henry Newman , and emerge stronger in my faith. 

 

Over a year ago, I walked into my first IKON class and walked out confused as ever. I didn’t know what to do with all the information I learned in that hour, so I asked Dr. Delio “What now?” He told me to go for a walk in the park. I hadn’t properly taken a good leisurely walk until a few weeks ago. Strolling up and down the familiar streets that saw me grow and change, my mind was finally clear, in the present, and I could start to ponder the readings from class and why God wanted me to read them. 

The Newman Idea gives me food for my soul. The readings and class discussions give me direction and reinforce my desire to know and love God. What makes all of this so special is how God has shown me His love and generosity through it. The Lord has gifted me with a new perspective on my faith and has brought together a classroom full of people to explore the beauty and depth of His creation. I am on the greatest adventure of my life, and oddly enough it can happen through a computer screen. The online platform for class has shown me how God can work through any challenge, and how the growth and formation of my mind and soul will go beyond my years of formal education. 

Navigating these uncharted waters of quarantine and my future, I turn to Saint Therese of Lisieux, a Doctor of the Church. Her teachings are how I find my confidence in Jesus. St. Therese lived as a cloistered Carmelite, never performed great works, never founded a religious order, and never went on mission trips. She is a saint simply because she wholeheartedly loved Jesus and generously gave all of herself to Him. St. Therese’s spirituality deepens my desire to love and know God here and now. This extra time at home with family gives me more chances to bask in His love. And it is His love that encourages me to seek the Truth intellectually. 

 

The IKON professors have gifted me one of the best graduation presents so far – these classes! I cannot wait to see how God will show me more of who He is through The Newman Idea . So, I thank you for your prayers and support for this opportunity to love our Father more and more each day.  

 

Chesna