One of the Best Homilies Given Lately

Amidst the fallout of antisemitic protests that led to the cancellation of many American campuses’ commencement ceremonies, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, stood firm in its commitment to tradition. Unlike many others, this institution of higher learning chose to proceed with its graduation ceremony for the seniors. Adding to the event’s significance, the College invited Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker to deliver the address. 

Butker’s speech was more of a homily speaking the truth about the world than what is heard in many parishes across the country. His clear articulation of the faith to these young graduates was heartening and a stark difference between those Church leaders who chose to be silent on many of the issues he discussed.

Butker didn’t waste any time making his point. He acknowledged the COVID fiasco was hard on the students and quickly pivoted to the challenges of the students living in a society with poor leadership and policies. In short, he notices the disorder in society advocating abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, and degenerate policies, all under the leadership of someone who claims to be Catholic—Joe Biden.  

He mentions the moment when Biden blasphemously made the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion event and correctly recounted how the President claims to be a good Catholic and, at the same time, tirelessly defends the evil practice. Biden’s actions are an excuse to lukewarm Catholics that they too can be a pro-choice Catholic.

Butker brilliantly informs the audience that the ones behind the COVID-19 fiasco and the dangerous push for gender ideologies on the young are those who claim to be Catholic. Then, the signature line of the speech, “This is an important reminder that being Catholic doesn’t cut it.”

Butker continues that to be authentic men and women of the time, we must depart from the “Church of Nice.”  As Catholics, we must always be charitable. However, a person cannot confuse charity with cowardice, Butker said.  He remarked that he never intended to be in the public light, but since God led him there, he has accepted his mission to speak the truth. As members of the Church, “it is our duty and privilege to be authentically and unapologetically Catholic.”

He then spoke directly to the women of the graduation class. He extolled the virtues and vocations of wife and mother and told them the diabolical lies that had affected them the most. He recalls the grounding his wife gives him, momentarily choking up, and hopes that through his marriage, both will earn their salvation.

Predictably, the mainstream media jumped on this speech and denounced what Butker was saying. Pages and pages of articles come up on web browsers, all critical to Butker’s commencement speech. All the articles appearing on the search use the word “controversial” to describe his remarks. Such is where we find ourselves when speaking the truth is deemed contentious.

Of course, the NFL chimed in and officially stated that Butker gave the speech in his personal capacity. This was only the calm before the storm. Jonathan Beane, Senior Vice President and chief diversity and inclusion officer, unambiguously restated the NFL’s social stance, “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

The over-the-top criticism of Butker’s commencement speech means his words of truth hit a nerve. He refused to bow to the tyrannical social order of atheism and chaos now prevalent in many sectors of our society. For this, we applaud him and thank him for his witness to Catholicism.  It was one of the best homilies I have heard in a long time.

Take the time to hear it for yourself here.