Graduation Day

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, life as we know it has all but ground to a halt. At times like these, it helps to revisit our knowledge of "life" itself.


Dear Ysak,

Today would have been your grade school graduation day--the day when the limelight is on you and your classmates; the day when you walk triumphantly up the stage to be applauded for all your hard work for the past seven years; the day when the world ushers you into the next stage of your life, well on your way to manhood. But, as we all know, circumstances have kept this from happening. Not today, at least.


But, as sad as these circumstances may seem, perhaps they are also reminding us of the things that really matter: that the glory of our personal triumphs does not depend on the fanfare and the applause of others, but on the sincere acknowledgement that all we have done, we have done for and through the Almighty Father. Perhaps these circumstances are reminding us that it is not so much the ceremony to celebrate how far we have come, but the promise of what lies ahead, that matters more. In your case, the news that you have been accepted into the high school of your dreams (after we had given up hope on it), could not have come at a better time. And, in my mind, this news came along with a near-deafening blare of trumpets, an earth-shaking roar of applause from everyone who has wished this for you, and the divine voice of God saying, "you have asked, and thus you shall receive."


And so, my dear son, let us not allow the circumstances to tarnish the edification that so rightfully belongs to you and your classmates on this day. We will celebrate modestly at home, but extravagantly in our hearts.


Congratulations, Master Gabriel Ysak Flores!!! This is the day that the Lord has made for you--when the world opens up in front of you, and your destiny is placed in your hands. Seize it; take it as far as it can go--for the greater glory of God!