Graduation Address

Graduation Address for Madelyn Renee Krenz

St. Augustine Lutheran Academy

May 16, 2026

          In this family, we believe in education.

          Not, simply, as a practical concern, although it is.

          Not, merely, to make you marketable to employers, although it will.

          Neither to ensure your acceptance to a good college, although it has.

          Or, earn you scholarships, although that is how you do it. 

          Certainly not to gain the accolades of men.

          Why, then, do we believe in education?

          That we may apply ourselves unto a heart of wisdom, as Moses prays in Psalm 90 (v. 12).  As King Solomon bids us in the Proverbs: “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth” (Prov. 4:5; ESV).  And again, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (v. 7).  And then, again, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (16:16).

          What is wisdom?  Not just knowing things... facts, and figures, formulas, and equations.  Not just intelligence (the smartest people are sometimes the greatest of fools... sometime look up Psalm 14:1).  Wisdom, rather, is the ability to employ knowledge, and intelligence, and experience, and whatever else God has given you, toward goodness, truth, and beauty.  (The three transcendentals... remember?)   

          There is a difference, though, isn’t there, between the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom of God.  We are assuredly interested in the very best of this world’s wisdom.  We read the Great Books.  Great literature.  The Great Philosophers.  And we apply our minds to mathematics, and the mechanics of the physical universe, and the methods of empirical learning.  We learn great music and poetry.  We ponder great art.  And in all of this, we’re looking for insight into the meaning of things, and the right application of those things for good.  That is wisdom.

          But we are Christians, and so, we know this wisdom is never enough.  It can lead you to things that are good, but not to Goodness Himself.  It can teach you things that are true, but it will not, finally, teach you Truth.  It may set before your eyes, your ears, and all your senses, things that are beautiful, but it will always stop short of revealing the Beautiful One.  And so, we need something more, don’t we?  We need a wisdom that is both higher, and deeper.  We need a wisdom beyond the very best that man can give.

          “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” (Ps. 111:10).  Now, what is fear, as urged upon us in this verse?  It is not terror and distress in the presence of the LORD (although this fear is terrified to offend Him).  This fear is a reverence.  Humility.  Faith.  Love.  What we once called piety (which is, Godly devotion).  See, as Christians, that is what we’re exercising in our pursuit of education.  The fear of the LORD. 

          To what end?  In this world, that we be salt and light.  To flavor and enlighten our environment.  Testifying to Christ in speech and conduct and bearing and demeanor.  Loving with the love of God.  His hands and feet, His masks, in our vocations.  Purpose in all we do.  As little christs to our neighbor.  Serving the neighbor.  Sacrificing for the neighbor.  For his prosperity and salvation.  And ever with an eye toward the world to come.  Ordering our lives toward the good, the true, the beautiful, and so bringing goodness, truth, and beauty into the lives of those whom God has given us. 

          That is profound.  We believe in that. 

          In all the years you were in public school, and in the years since, as we’ve educated you at home (well... at St. Augustine Lutheran Academy), our goal has been to give you that.  Or, rather, be instruments of God as He gives you that.  Wisdom.  Christ.  And the things of Christ. 

          We are confident that you now head out into the world, well-equipped.

          But never stop pursuing wisdom.  In this family, we believe in education as a lifelong endeavor.  Wisdom tells us why.  And wisdom is, itself, the end (as in, the goal, the culmination, the fulfillment) of that pursuit.