NFL kicker tears down sacred cows of culture with piercing commencement address
In true prophetic fashion, Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs Kicker delivered a stirring commencement address to the graduating class of 2024 at Benedictine College in Kansas that has struck a nerve, emphasizing the transformative power of faith and traditional Catholic values. “An ordered Christ-centered existence is the recipe for success,” Butker declared, encapsulating the essence of his message to the graduates.
Butker began by congratulating the class of 2024 on their achievements, acknowledging the unique challenges they faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Your high school graduation was not what you had imagined, and most likely neither were your first couple of years of college,” he said, recognizing their resilience. “By making it to this moment through all the adversity thrown your way, I hope you learned the important lessons that suffering in this life is only temporary.”
Calling young people to embrace faith’s values
Butker’s speech hit a nerve in today’s culture, confronting various issues plaguing modern society, from poor leadership to cultural values that stray from the faith. He criticized bad policies and poor leadership, particularly those that negatively impact major life issues like abortion, surrogacy, and euthanasia. Calling out President Joe Biden, Butker boldly rebuked, “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally,” Butker remarked, highlighting the contradictions he sees in our nation’s leadership.
His message did not shy away from controversial topics, calling out Catholics who support policies contrary to the faith’s teachings. “Being Catholic alone doesn’t cut it,” Butker asserted. He urged the graduates to speak and act in charity but never mistake charity for cowardice, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in their beliefs.
A call to surrender to Christ
The concept of surrendering oneself to Christ and embracing traditional values is rooted in Christian theology and represents a fundamental aspect of faith. Butker’s message underscored the transformative potential of this surrender, suggesting that by relinquishing control and placing trust in Christ, individuals can experience profound joy and purpose.
In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, Butker’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing faith, virtue, and a Christ-centered approach to life. He commended Benedictine College for exemplifying these principles, noting its success in fostering a thriving community built on traditional Catholic values. “Benedictine has gone from just another liberal arts school with nothing to set it apart to a thriving beacon of light,” he said, attributing this transformation to the college’s deliberate embrace of tradition.
As the graduates prepare to embark on their respective journeys, Butker’s message continues to inspire and guide them, instilling a sense of purpose and direction rooted in timeless principles. His advocacy for embracing these values reflects a commitment to living authentically and aligning one’s actions with spiritual principles.
Traditional family values
To the women in the audience, Butker offered a special message, recognizing the unique challenges they face in a world filled with contradictory messages about success and fulfillment. “I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he shared, highlighting the joy and fulfillment found in embracing traditional roles.
Addressing the men, Butker emphasized the importance of their role in the home and society. “As men, we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction, and chaos set in,” he stated, encouraging them to be unapologetic in their masculinity and to embrace their responsibilities.
A call to live out vocations with integrity
Butker’s address was a call to action for the graduates to live out their vocations with integrity and dedication, whether as laypeople, priests, or religious. “By staying true to their faith and embracing traditional values, graduates can navigate life’s complexities with grace, integrity, and purpose,” he concluded.
In response to Butker’s address, conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey remarked, “Harrison Butker tipped over all the sacred cows – abortion, IVF/surrogacy, anti-motherhood, anti-masculinity, etc – and instead promoted the enemies of our cultural rot: fatherhood, marriage, courage, purity, sacrifice, respecting the dignity of life. That’s why people are screeching. They don’t like their idols threatened, and they have a profound disdain for goodness and truth.”
In a world marked by rapid change and shifting norms, Harrison Butker’s message at Benedictine College’s commencement was a timely reminder of the enduring strength and relevance of traditional Christian values. By surrendering to Christ and embracing an ordered, Christ-centered existence, the class of 2024 is poised to find true success and happiness.
