May 24, 2022

Most graduation speeches are filled with soul-deadening platitudes, but this one from Taylor Swift (!) to NYU grads contained this exceptionally insightful nugget. “Learn to live alongside of cringe. No matter how hard you avoid being cringe you will look back on your life and cringe retrospectively.” 100% true.

The apostle Paul embraces cringe. “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.” (2 Corinthians 11:30) Imagine how liberating it would be to trot out before God and man all that you are desperate to hide? Ha!

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP)