When preaching at celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation, I like to borrow imagery and insights from the world of surfing. I hope that the imagery serves as a kind of parable drawing the confirmation candidates into the grace of the sacrament. In the homily, I speak about the dedication required for any serious surfer. Contrary to popular stereotypes, surfers are men and women of discipline, intelligence and hard work. They must “see beneath the surface” in order to understand how the hidden tides and currents, along with the depth and shape of the sea floor, affect the break. They must devote themselves to practice — a lot of practice! They make sacrifices for their sport as they go to the beach in the early hours, in the cold of winter and in storm conditions. “Why do surfers do all this?” I ask the young people. They devote themselves because of that awesome moment after all the work and sacrifice when the perfect wave rises behind them, they rise up on their board, and for a few fleeting moments, there is a oneness between the surfer and the wave. It is this communion with the power of the sea that brings them back season after season.
I go on in the homily to talk about the importance of their relationship with Jesus Christ and His longing to be their friend and accompany them on the journey of life. I remind them that any good relationship requires a response. A good friend learns to “see beneath the surface” and past appearances. A good friend makes sacrifices and all of the hard work of “practicing” friendship. I remind them of the Lord’s own words and deeds in the Gospel as He demonstrates that He is all in this relationship with the young people: “there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend ….” I point out the altar where this same Jesus, present among us, offers His life’s blood for our healing and redemption. At the conclusion of the homily, I circle back to the beginning of the homily. Surfers find joy in those fleeting moments of communion with the power of the sea. I tell the young people the truth that in the sacrament, the Lord offers them communion with the power of the One Who made the sea, Love Itself. I ask them if they are ready to speak their promises and join the Lord in His gracious offer of friendship. If so, I ask them to stand on their “board” and allow that power of God to lift them and send them forward in life. I promise them that their trust in Him will bring them joy and meaning that this world can never give nor take. And I assure them that the waves of God’s love for them will bring them all the way to the shores of His eternal kingdom.
I share all this imagery with you in this, my last installment of the column “State of Hope” because I have been thinking lately about those waves on our license plates. I have been thinking about the joy and purpose that I have found in ministry here among you. If I might stretch my imagery above, I have been thinking that you, the people of the Diocese of Providence have been a wave of divine love for me. You have lifted me and given me that gift of communion; communion with the Lord and communion with you. The Lord Jesus has called us His friends. My time in Rhode Island has passed much too quickly, but it has been awesome. You are awesome and I will never look at the waves of the sea without thinking of you and my time in the Ocean State. May God bless you and yours now and always!
