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When I go to church, there is one part of the service that I could often do without : the homily. At my church, our pastor likes to talk, and talk. Don’t get me wrong, he’s good. But there are times when I think it’s over, you know, lesson presented, good conclusion, DONE!! Nope, he keeps on talking.

And then there’s Fr. Mike French. Mike is the soul of brevity. Let me explain: One time a few years ago, toward the end of the service being celebrated by Fr French, the pastor came out and informed the congregation that there was a car with its lights still on. Mike French replied that he could understand leaving the engine running, but the lights on?? Anyway, I’ll try to be more like Mike French tonight.

This year represents a transition, and with some transitions come rites of passage: drivers’ licenses, more privileges at home and school, etc. But you have to go through these rites, and every culture since civilization began has had them. The Native Americans had vision quests, the religious rites of confirmation and bar and bat mitzvahs, the solo treks of the Inuit of Alaska and Canada, and others. Some were to test courage, some tested independence, some to test ingenuity and resourcefulness, and some tested the trait we call HONOR.

Nothing has changed – today we just use different tests. But we look for the same things, the same talents, evidence that you will make a positive contribution to our world, YOUR world.

Junior year is a transition year. You’ve been told, “Do a good job because colleges will see this first.” They’re going to ask how you’re doing and you will be expected to answer that question, and it’s not always easy. And, of course, we (and everyone else) have told you that this is your most important year. And it is, but not only because of transcripts.

From this point on you will be expected to think at a higher level than ever before. You can no longer fall back on the excuses of little kids: my dog ate it, it went through the wash, I FORGOT.

While not yet adults, you are on the threshold. And with this come more privileges and more responsibilities. I’d like to pose a challenge to you all – JUSTIFY THEM!!

You are some of the brightest and most creative people I’ve known in my time here at McDonogh. You have unlimited potential in a world starving for your talents. And it all starts here. Your ideas, the ones that will change the world, your world, each of you.

Revolution is defined in the dictionary as a total change. There are really no little revolutions. A revolutionary is one who rebels, who is an agent of this change, a rebel.

Each of you is called to be a rebel, a revolutionary, one with a new idea, a different way; whether you invent the better mousetrap or the next generation of artificial intelligence, or become the “go to” person in your neighborhood. Your world, big or small, broad or local, in the city, the state, your home – you are called to make a difference in someone’s life.

It’s not easy. It takes courage and support. For the next almost two years, and more, I hope you will support each other, even when it’s tough, not popular, and downright uncomfortable. For, while everyone talks a good game about support, it usually comes down to, “What’s in it for me?” Many of you have already moved beyond that. Hold to it. Don’t slide back, even when it’s tough, not popular, and REALLY uncomfortable.

Then you will be a rebel with purpose, an agent for progress, not chaos.

I once heard a character on TV say something that has stuck with me for over 30 years. (Yeah, I’m that old.) It went: In every revolution there is one person with a vision.

Be the ones with vision.