In spring, we find ourselves fully engaged in a time of beginnings. Confirmations invite young people to live their faith more fully within their relationship with the Church. Graduations send students outside their school halls towards their future in the world.    

They are many messages that can be offered at these times. Last year, Harry Potter author JK Rowling reminded Harvard graduates that “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” Oprah spoke at Duke’s graduation last weekend. In previous commencement speeches, she has said, “What other people label or might try to call failure, I have learned is just God’s way of pointing you in a new direction.”
Yet, the truest commencement speech I heard this year came from the recent movie release of Star Trek. Early in the story, Captain Christopher Pike encounters the son of a fallen comrade. Now a young man, James Tiberius Kirk is reckless civilian who has taken up harassing Starfleet recruits.

Pike confronts Kirk suggesting “You’ve always had a hard time finding your place in this world, haven’t you? Never knowing your true worth. You can settle for less in ordinary life, or do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special.” Pike offers this final challenge: “Your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved 800 lives, including yours. I dare you to do better. Enlist in Starfleet.”

I dare you to do better.

As the older generation passing along the baton in what are clearly difficult times, it is easy to send the young generation forth with our apologies for the present challenges. This does not serve them well.

We should not only caution young people about the need to risk failure. They need to also hear of our anticipations of their successes.

I dare you to do better.

Pike is offering Kirk an opportunity, a choice. He is presenting a style of life, of moving between star systems rather than from moment to moment.

It is with this tone that Pope Benedict XVI, in March, encouraged the young people of Angola. “Do not be afraid to make definitive decisions. You do not lack generosity – that I know! But the idea of risking a lifelong commitment, whether in marriage or in a life of special consecration, can be daunting. You might think: ‘The world is in constant flux and life is full of possibilities… By making a definitive decision, would I not be risking my freedom and tying my own hands?’” The Pope responded that “These are the doubts you feel, and today’s individualistic and hedonist culture aggravates them.”

“I say to you: Take courage!” the Pope challenged, “Dare to make definitive decisions, because in reality these are the only decisions which do not destroy your freedom, but guide it in the right direction, enabling you to move forward and attain something worthwhile in life.”

This is a season of beginnings, of commencement. Beginnings, however, do not happen by looking nostalgically on the past. They occur when we commit with hope and love and prayer towards the future.

“Live long and prosper” has long been a salutation offered by Star Trek’s Mister Spock. As a commencement address, however, it takes on the nature of a direct challenge. I dare you to make definitive decisions. I dare you to do better.