Years ago, before I had ever considered that life might bring me to this place, I had the opportunity of going to a lecture by Henri Nouwen. I had never heard this name before, but I went along because a friend talked so enthusiastically about him. I remember very little about the lecture, for it wasn’t until some time later before I realized how significant this man was to my own faith journey. In hindsight, some experiences in life become more significant. I wish I had paid more attention to this man when I met him. Only God knows who you might meet next week or who our seniors might meet next fall at their colleges.

In an interview toward the end of his life, Henri Nouwen said that the seventeenth chapter of the gospel of John was the centerpiece of his theology. "[He] summarized Jesus’ theme in two short sentences: ‘What I have done, you will do. What I have been you will be.’ The unity of Christ and his followers was more than symbolic – it was a handing of the torch, a passing of the baton. They were to become him. They were to take his place."  (Taylor, James, John for Beginners: a Bible Study for Individual and Group Use, Wood Lake Books, 2001.)

Today’s scripture lessons tell us about the actual point in time of this passing of the torch. One lesson comes from the end of the gospel of Luke and the other is the beginning of the Book of Acts. And although they are the assigned readings for this day, they are especially appropriate as we recognize our seniors.

In the gospel lesson from Luke, we hear Jesus’ concluding words to the disciples and witness his departure to be with God. Jesus says goodbye and promises something in the future that will clothe the disciples with power. This scene follows the crucifixion/resurrection event, yet it suggests a sequel. So what more could happen that would be equal to the resurrection.

Our second reading, which is from the book of Acts, is very similar to the reading from Luke. You might even have wondered why we read both. The similarity suggests continuity and the differences evoke passage of time. Acts is accepted by most biblical scholars as the sequel to Luke, so this scene is like the opening scene of a movie that links us to the prequel.

Although not exactly the same, this scene in Acts does seem to repeat aspects of the Luke passage. We read that after the resurrection, Jesus again teaches about the meaning of his suffering and tells the disciples to stay in the city, in Jerusalem, until they receive the Father’s promise. This time we learn that this promise is baptism by the Holy Spirit. The disciples however are more interested in worldly kingdoms; their desire for the concrete things of this world is stronger than their awareness of the power available through the Holy Spirit. They are not really concerned with being witnesses to the ends of the earth.

I wonder how aware we are in the power available to us through the Holy Spirit? Let me tell you, sometimes that Spirit takes us in directions that we do not want to go in. Most times we are led beyond our comfort zone. Following the Holy Spirit is kind of like going off to college when you’re not sure if you are going to be happy with the choice you have made.

This morning, a helpful contemporary story that our seniors and many others might be familiar with is the "Spiderman" movie. If we think of this movie as a modern day parable and hear the metaphors that point us toward lasting truths, this movie might shed light on the message from today’s scripture.

In this modern day parable, a genetically mutated spider bites Peter Parker, a nerdy science student. Soon, Peter begins to experience extra-human qualities. Like a spider, he can climb up sides of buildings and hold onto ceilings, upside down. Somehow, web-like fibers can be thrown from his wrists and his physical strength has been increased a hundred-fold. I guess spiders are quite strong in relation to their body mass.

Peter soon realizes that he has great power and there are some things he would like to have, how about a racy sports car to attract a girl’s attention. Given his power, he could simply go out and take what he wants, but he decides instead to enter a wrestling competition and earn the prize money. Peter enters the wrestling ring dressed in a simple costume and defeats the much larger, more experienced competitor.

In the next scene, the sponsor of the wrestling match pays Peter only a third of the promised prize money. Angry, Peter leaves the office, makes his way down a hallway, and then hears commotion behind him. An assailant has robbed the sponsor and Peter, still angry, refuses to stop the fleeing thief. It feels like the dishonest sponsor got what he deserved.

But while on his way home, Peter hears ambulances and rushes to find that the thief whom he let pass by has shot and killed Peter’s uncle, the man who had been his adopted father. Peter, devastated by his uncle’s death, relives in his mind over and over the words of his uncle, "To one who has been given great power, also comes great responsibility."

Graduates, you have been given great power! You have received many advantages; security and a level of affluence not available to all people your age. Your parents, your family members, your friends, and this congregation love you. They and we will support you in each of your highest aspirations.

In addition, to our love and support, you have been bitten by God’s Holy Spirit! God will lead you into places you did not think you would ever go, if you are open to that leading. You are on a threshold of shaping your own lives. You will be graduating college or entering the work force during a time in which many ethical decisions will have to be made.

In the fields of biotechnology and medicine, you may have to deal with questions of life and death. What is it that defines human life? Is it possible to altar genes and change a person’s life expectation? How can machines help and enhance human life without controlling our actions? These are just some of the possibilities.

In the professions more related to our social lives, government, social work, public policy, you will make decisions related to resources and how they will be distributed. You might be involved in shaping support systems for the poor without locking them into a lifetime of struggle. You could be helping people to move beyond the conflicts that are defined by ethnicity and race. You might be concerned with finding equitable relationships between people and land, especially in the countries of the ancient Middle East. You have the power to affect the future of our country and world.

With the great power that you have received comes also great responsibility. We believe that within the sacred scripture, you can discover the parameters of that responsibility. Jesus’ lessons are quite simple: Love one another, even your enemies. When you do something that does not show love, repent and turn away from that error, that sin. God still loves you. Be a servant and you will discover great reward. Place your trust in God, rather than the fleeting kingdoms of this world.

It was placing his trust in God that enabled Nelson Mandela to spend years in prison and finally after his release to be elected as the first black President of a new South Africa. During his inaugural address he said, "[Humanity’s] deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. … We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

We, all of us, have been baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit. In a sense it’s a little like being bitten. Do not be afraid of the light that shines within. Our relationship with Jesus Christ means that we are to be witnesses to his love and his grace for all people. That relationship calls us to accept the torch of the Holy Spirit and to follow God away from our comfort zone and into the places where God would lead us. If you would be a disciple of Christ, then accept the torch and follow in his ways. Always consider, what would Jesus have you do?