Practicing grace

Everyone knows the city of St. Louis is not at peace right now. It’s been on the news. It’s been on Facebook. It’s been discussed on this campus. The events in Ferguson do not stand in isolation, but rather illuminate an unrest and hurt that has been present for many years. People are hurting. People are angry. People are upset. And many people are unsure. Unsure of what will happen, of what it all means, and of where to go from here. But I believe God never leaves us to face this alone. In the passage from Philippians, He tells us to “make our requests known” to Him. And so we do, we pray for peace, but we cannot stop there. We cannot ignore the second step, maybe the more important one in the passage, to “keep on doing what [we] have learned and received and heard and seen in [Him]. Then the God of peace will be with [us].” God sent us the perfect example of peace in His son Jesus. And God asks us to reflect on that example, to reflect on Jesus’ teachings, words, and actions. But then God asks more of us, he calls us to continued action to bring about the peace we seek. We are to follow Jesus’ example, but we are to take part in the realization of our prayers. For if we want peace, we must seek truth. We must defend honor. We must fight for justice. We must praise that which is pure. We must uphold that which is lovely. And, we must practice grace. Let God guide your heart and mind to peace. Rest in the assurance that we have an example set forth for us in Jesus. Know that we can also be examples and instruments of God’s peace in our own lives, on this campus, and in this city.

Cami Kasmerchak is the Campus Ministry GROW Intern.

Welcome!

(*This post was originally delivered as an introduction to the first 9:00 p.m. Mass of the 2014-5 school year.*)

'Welcome' to the Class of 2018 and all our transfer students and visitors, and 'welcome back' to all returning students----welcome home.

Before we begin the celebration of the Mass, I'd like to direct our hearts inwards and our eyes upwards... Literally. Look up! Look up at these monstrous marble pillars and follow your gaze to their meetings with the ceiling. Atop each pillar is a stone "knob," twirling into a creative design. Look at these "knobs" atop the pillars closely. Now notice the smaller knobs, the hundreds beautifully placed everywhere in this Church: the golden-painted ones meeting on the ceilings in the side wings, the ones conjoining atop the stations of the cross displays attached to the walls, essentially, look at every meeting, every connecting architectural moment in this place of worship. Notice something interesting? Every---every----knob is unique. Each knob or "knot" brings its own style, character, and essence to this church. Some have waves, some flowers, some fruits, and some subtle curls. But each one is unique, no two the same... yet they all come together in the big picture, unifying as one complete design to give glory to God.

Now bring your gaze down and look around this SLU community. Look closely. Notice the hundreds of us beautifully placed everywhere in this Church, as we connect, as we meet and gather as one body in this building. Every---every----individual, each one of us, is unique. Everyone has their own style, character, and essence. We come from different places around this nation and world; we study different subjects, play different sports, support different opinions, engage in different subcultures, and may even practice different faith traditions. Each one of us is unique, yet we come together, unified as one complete Saint Louis University, living one mission: to pursue truth for the greater glory of God and in service to humanity. The knobs make this building architecturally beautiful. We make this place holy and magnificent... and all are welcome here, no matter how "different" your inner "knob" or "knot" may be.

And so as we enter this new school year, as we celebrate the Feast of St. Louis, King of France in this 800^th anniversary year of his birth and this 250^th anniversary year of the city of St. Louis, absorb the beauty of this moment----and know you are always, always welcome here.

Luke Yamnitz is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and an Oriflamme leader.