Reflection
These readings offer a powerful instruction on enduring faith, which is at the heart of USD's mission and reflects our commitment to leading with love. We challenge ourselves to collectively build a “A strong city,” fortified by shared purpose and values that serve as “walls and ramparts to protect us.” The collective peace, shared by faculty, staff, students, and alumni alike, is secured when we place our full trust in the unwavering principles of its foundation, a foundation rooted in love and serving as our “eternal Rock.”
I witnessed this conviction in action when a beloved faculty member from the Sociology department passed away last month. I saw our community rally to recognize his immense contribution to the success of our university. He was particularly dedicated to assisting underserved students. His legacy will be the selfless commitment he modeled, underscoring the vital importance of community-building for our entire university. This kind of dedication and love is the rock on which we build. This confidence allows our entire community to be resilient, knowing that true strength derives from moral conviction.
The Gospel provides the essential blueprint for this conviction. Jesus contrasts two builders, highlighting that resilience belongs to those who listen to and act on principle. For USD, this action means actively embodying our core mission, drawing strength from our liberal arts foundations: advancing knowledge, fostering peace, and pursuing justice.
I was reminded of this when a distinguished alumna returned to receive an award for her contributions to society at large earlier this semester. While here, she remarked that it was USD who provided her with the fortitude to weather all storms and move forward, a testament to the strong foundation and safe haven we provide.
When our institutional foundation is rooted in this active commitment, we prove ourselves to be the “wise man who built his house on rock.” The world will inevitably bring severe challenges—the "rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.” Yet, against these constant external headwinds, USD will not collapse. Our strong house stands firm and thrives, ready to “Open up the gates” to welcome all who seek the beauty, truth, and goodness within its unwavering foundations and principles of love.
Noelle Norton, PhD
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences