Dearest Ursuline Families,

Last week we joined together in prayer for our seniors at their last Ursuline mass, and I heard the gospel anew when thinking about this graduating class.

The gospel reading was The Feeding of the 5,000, an almost too familiar story. The carb-craving crowd lingers, and Jesus in his compassion wants to respond to their need, so he asks Philip what to do. Philip, the group realist and financial advisor, makes it clear that it’s not going to happen. Then, from the back, Andrew offers help, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" (John 6:9). Andrew, the problem-solver, sees the issue and offers a solution, but not without his honest question, a question which pressed on me at mass as I thought about our seniors leaving Ursuline. It’s a question I’ve heard repeatedly at school in different forms:

The need in the world is so great, how can I do anything that will make a difference?

In a world of 8 billion people, how does my seemingly insignificant life amount to anything worthy?

Does what I have to offer really matter? Will it be enough? Will I be good enough?

I am convinced The Feeding of the 5,000 was less for Jesus’ famished fan club and more for those of us “Andrews” who ask the same questions about what we can contribute. I am also convinced that it is not about the bread and fish but about the gifts we each bring to the table.

The striking thing about Andrew is that instead of shutting Jesus down, he takes his honest question to the one person who can answer it. Surely he had his own doubts about whether he would measure up and whether his own gifts held significance: Will they be enough? But for Jesus, there is no “not measuring up” and there is “no not good enough.” We do not see Jesus counting bread and crunching numbers to see how far each piece will go, nor does he do that with our lives. He gives thanks over the gifts and then distributes them. Jesus’ only words following the whole ordeal is a request that nothing is wasted (John 6:12).

The simple story is Jesus multiplying loaves and fishes. This larger story we take for granted is about our lives and what Jesus wants to do in our lives. This is a story for our seniors.

As I am preparing the names in the graduation lineup for the Class of 2025, I hold to the truth that this is what God wants for each of them: to take what they have and multiply it by the people in their life and in the world that need those gifts. Undoubtedly, God who made the universe and who chose each of us for this moment would want to multiply our gifts to provide for each other. Isn’t that what we mean by Serviam?

It’s not unlikely that our graduates will be confronted with Andrew’s questions throughout their life: Is it good enough? Do I have what it takes? How can I make a difference? While we do not seek a life absent of questions, faith meets us in those moments when we doubt our ability and God’s plan to provide for us. When questions threaten to hold us back from doing the good work God has planned for us, to whom do we go with those questions?

To our seniors, Trust. It’s possible. Take your questions to Him, and know He’s got you in this moment. Say “Yes” in faith. The world needs your gifts. God wants to multiply your gifts. He gives thanks over your life. Don’t waste it.

May our lives and hearts be magnified in the Lord,

Mandy Briones