WEBVTT 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:42.685 Dear graduates, you graduated a very special time as the universal church continues to celebrate our jubilee year, focused on a theological virtue of hope, as Divine Mercy University celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary And only a few days after we have been introduced to our new Holy Father, Pope Leo fourteenth, for whom we pray for in a special way at this mass as he begins his ministry among us. 00:00:44.345 --> 00:00:52.685 Dear graduates, you are here today as a result of God's grace, for sure. 00:00:54.250 --> 00:01:12.105 But also because of the way you have cooperated with that grace through hard work and dedication, sacrifices, and perseverance through a very rigorous program. 00:01:14.405 --> 00:01:21.700 And all of us here today are very proud of you and extend our sincere congratulations. 00:01:24.080 --> 00:01:26.420 This is truly a mass of thanksgiving. 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:36.775 Thanksgiving for the gift of Divine Mercy University, a jewel, a treasure in our diocese, and a gift to the entire church. 00:01:38.115 --> 00:01:42.135 Thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for all of you. 00:01:43.990 --> 00:02:00.755 And thanksgiving, I'm sure, dear graduates, for all the special people who have helped you along the way, the administrators and faculty, your spouses and parents, family members and friends. 00:02:00.755 --> 00:02:03.575 I know you give thanks to God for all of them. 00:02:05.235 --> 00:02:22.740 And as you go forth today, I am very confident that the Lord will send you as instruments of his healing love and know that you go with our prayers. 00:02:25.795 --> 00:02:40.830 I suspect that, if not all, many of us at certain times have encountered people in desperate situations like in today's reading. 00:02:42.250 --> 00:02:51.310 Aeneas who was paralyzed and confined to bed for eight years. 00:02:53.195 --> 00:02:57.135 And Tabitha, who had died after an illness. 00:02:59.355 --> 00:03:22.725 At moments like these, it is very easy for us to fall into the temptation to lose hope, to give up, to think that nothing can change or be done, Or maybe even begin to think that no one cares. 00:03:24.545 --> 00:03:38.860 Yet, we just heard how God, through the action and intercession of Saint Peter, healed Aeneas and restored Tabitha to life. 00:03:40.440 --> 00:03:52.705 And because of these miracles, we are told, many turned to the Lord and came to believe in him. 00:03:54.045 --> 00:04:05.170 Not only were the people who witnessed these events amaze, but they also discovered hope. 00:04:05.170 --> 00:04:13.670 The hope united to faith that with God, all things are possible. 00:04:15.585 --> 00:04:23.445 At the same time, the healing that the Lord accomplishes is also a sign of his mercy. 00:04:24.385 --> 00:04:29.525 Or we could say his merciful love towards those in need. 00:04:31.170 --> 00:04:46.625 Without a doubt, Divine Mercy University has and continues to exemplify the qualities, the virtues of hope and mercy. 00:04:48.445 --> 00:05:02.760 It is providential that today's baccalaureate mass is being celebrated during the jubilee year in which our beloved holy father, Pope Francis, dedicated to the theme of hope. 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:14.485 In the bowl of eviction for the beginning of the jubilee, Pope Francis wrote, with Jesus, joy flourishes. 00:05:16.385 --> 00:05:26.650 With him, life changes for the better And hope does not disappoint. 00:05:28.150 --> 00:05:33.210 He went on to say that by our words and example, we can be messengers of hope. 00:05:34.565 --> 00:05:41.845 The hope that is ours in the Lord and his power to transform and and heal us. 00:05:41.845 --> 00:05:43.385 Think of all the times. 00:05:44.725 --> 00:05:46.985 The Lord has done that for you. 00:05:48.910 --> 00:06:00.210 Pope Francis reminded us that in Christ Jesus, physical, spiritual, and emotional healing are always possible. 00:06:02.555 --> 00:06:12.975 As graduates of Divine Mercy University, you will surely meet and work with individuals who feel themselves paralyzed. 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:32.595 Paralyzed by the grip of addictions, mental health challenges, emotions and behaviors that impede persons from reaching the full human flourishing that God wants for them. 00:06:34.095 --> 00:06:42.835 You will surely encounter people who might consider themselves dead spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. 00:06:45.640 --> 00:06:51.020 Dear graduates, I encourage you, please be witnesses. 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:54.700 Be signs of hope for them. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:12.355 In offering psychological and spiritual counsel and guidance, you seek to promote emotional and relational health and well-being, as well as diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychological and spiritual issues. 00:07:14.090 --> 00:07:32.825 In this work, which can be difficult at times, not seeing immediate results we desire, I invite you not to be discouraged or ever to lose hope. 00:07:34.565 --> 00:07:42.425 The Lord is always working through you in ways you may not see or cannot even imagine. 00:07:44.350 --> 00:08:17.310 Just as Jesus' words were ones of spirit and life for his disciples, as the gospel tells us, so your words, together with your example of patience and perseverance, compassion and love can be instruments through which the Holy Spirit will transform the marked minds and hearts, souls, and very lives of those to whom he will send you. 00:08:19.290 --> 00:08:30.275 Your time at Divine Mercy University has given you great insights into the Catholic vision of the human person, which is lacking. 00:08:31.695 --> 00:08:33.635 Lacking in our world and society. 00:08:35.535 --> 00:08:41.955 And where there is that void, there are so many obstacles to people truly healing. 00:08:44.030 --> 00:09:02.265 Integrating this Christian anthropology with the best practices in psychological theory, research, and intervention allows you, dear graduates, to be professionally competent in the study of modern scientific psychology. 00:09:04.085 --> 00:09:17.320 It helps you also to understand the human mind and human behavior and to recognize those obstacles in our midst that keep us from living a healthy and balanced life. 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:27.800 Likewise, your studies and training have introduced you to the importance of fostering a spiritual life. 00:09:29.675 --> 00:09:35.695 For those you serve, but also for yourself. 00:09:38.555 --> 00:09:48.520 How could you ever imagine carrying out this work without a deep spiritual life? 00:09:50.740 --> 00:10:01.705 Relying on the Lord's divine insistence so that you can serve him and be instruments of supernatural graces. 00:10:04.005 --> 00:10:19.740 As you pursue your calling to alleviate suffering, know that you are not only restoring hope, but also practicing a work of mercy. 00:10:21.755 --> 00:10:30.575 To heal the sick and to provide counsel belong among the corporal spiritual works of mercy the church's tradition presents to us. 00:10:32.235 --> 00:10:57.525 Practicing these works of mercy forms the heart the heart of the mission of Divine Mercy University, which clearly states, in uniting the best of psychological and spiritual theory and practice, the university seeks to remind everyone that no one, no one is beyond God's mercy and love. 00:11:00.545 --> 00:11:20.285 Receiving this divine gift is a source of hope for which we are always renewed by the Lord when we return to him realizing as Saint Peter said in the gospel, he has the words of eternal life. 00:11:22.265 --> 00:11:31.005 Dear graduates, although there will be challenges you will have to face, be convinced. 00:11:32.670 --> 00:12:00.620 Convinced that Jesus accompanies you and strengthens you in his mercy so that you can serve as beacons of hope for others, especially those of our brothers and sisters who may experience doubts, fears, anxieties, distress and hopelessness. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:11.980 As you and all of us try daily to reflect the compassion of Christ, I encourage you to pray. 00:12:13.905 --> 00:12:14.725 Pray fervently. 00:12:16.385 --> 00:12:22.245 Pray daily to do what Peter did in the acts of the apostles. 00:12:24.545 --> 00:12:38.010 To raise up those who feel paralyzed, to lift up those who are suffering and give them hope despite any obstacles. 00:12:39.805 --> 00:12:44.225 Help them to know God will never give up on them. 00:12:45.965 --> 00:12:52.785 And his love is infinite and his mercy is divine. 00:12:55.070 --> 00:12:59.970 Strengthen then graduates by the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist we are about to receive. 00:13:00.910 --> 00:13:11.775 And through the prayers of Mary, Queen of Hope, may you go forth today as messengers of hope and witnesses of hope. 00:13:13.435 --> 00:13:17.295 The hope that is ours in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 00:13:19.260 --> 00:13:22.480 The hope that does not disappoint. 00:13:24.140 --> 00:13:35.265 For in him, joy flourishes and life changes for the better. 00:13:37.965 --> 00:13:44.705 Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. 00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:56.980 Dear graduates, with everyone present today, I extend to you our sincere congratulations for all that you have accomplished. 00:13:58.975 --> 00:14:10.275 And pray that you will be counted among the blessed on this joyful day and always. 00:14:10.895 --> 00:14:11.395 Amen.