Friday, June 6, 1980 was graduation day from Luther South High School at the corner of 87th Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. Graduation and the weekend following have long since faded in my memories. For me, it was Monday June 9th that stands out in my memory. That was the day everything in my life changed.
I don’t know the exact date, but it was after Labor Day in 1967, I started Kindergarten at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church and School; From that day forward, my days were a regimented march. After Labor Day, I was in school from the morning to about 3 PM. I would go home and do my homework, have dinner around the family table with my parents and siblings, then if there was still sunlight, have time to play with the neighbors. At least that was how things progressed through 8th grade. In high school, my world kept expanding but the constant of after Labor Day through the beginning of June school cycle persisted. Then came summer! Time to hang out with friends. Do things (after, of course the chores were finished) and basically kick back with that little countdown to when school began again.
But Monday June 9, 1980 was different. The sun still rose. school and classes were a memory. But, there was no countdown to when school started again for me – I didn’t go right into college. As such, I needed to start making my way in the world. On June 7th, my schooling; my room; my food; my healthcare; everything was paid for. Now I was responsible for all of that on my own. Had I gone to college right away, yes, those things would have endured. But I wasn’t thrilled about another 4 years of education. I wanted to grow up NOW!
Here in North Judson, school is out again for the year. For some, it will be a break before starting over in a new classroom here or even across the state or even country. The fact is, for some, the countdown to the next school year has already begun. For others though, the classroom clock has stopped and it is time to make their way in the world.
All of this got me to thinking about Matthew 3:13-17. This is the story of Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. In this passage, we see the image of the Holy Spirit descending and resting on Jesus in the form of a dove and we hear the booming voice of God telling the world “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” For Jesus, the clock leading up to this point stopped as well, and I have always wondered, did Jesus had the same fears as I did on June 9th?
Apart from the recording of Jesus’ birth, nothing is really recorded in the time between then and his Baptism. But, being part of the Triune God, Jesus must have known, at least from when the Holy Spirit rested on him, everything that was and would be happening. And if that were so, did he begin to dread his crucifixion? Even in the Garden, Jesus prayed in Matthew 26:39 that the fate he was to face be removed but if it had to be, that he would face his death.
All throughout the world, right now, many young people are facing those same fears. Having to begin taking the lessons learned and putting them into action. For a few, it will undoubtedly go smoothly. But for most, there will be mistakes and hard lessons learned. It is important that we remember our first steps and not only pray for those stepping out on their own, but continue to teach them and love them as they find their way and shape their worlds around them.
For me, June 9th is another fading memory. But I will never forget those first shaky steps as I began to find my way in the world. I still make mistakes and slip along the path, but I have learned to rely on the lessons from both school and the people who have always surrounded me to keep me moving forward.
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