As I’ve gotten back into the habit of praying the rosary each day (a habit I never should’ve gotten out of, but that’s a different story), I’ve developed a “standard” of the intentions that I keep top-of-mind and place before Mary and Jesus during each of the five mysteries.
They’ve come to mean a lot to me and to aid in directing some of my reflections and thoughts as I pray (beyond just the meditation on the subject of each mystery), so I thought it might be worthwhile to share them here. If you’re looking for ideas for intentions as you pray the rosary, perhaps you might find some thoughts, ideas, or inspiration here.
The First Mystery: My bishop, the Pope, and all bishops
As I reflect upon the first mystery, I also hold especially in my mind the health, well-being, and intentions of my own bishop, Thomas John Paprocki, and of Pope Francis and all bishops.
The Second Mystery: My pastor, and all priests and seminarians
This one holds a special prayer in my heart, because this structured way of approaching my prayer intentions with my rosary developed when our pastor asked my mother-in-law, when he was blessing a new rosary as a gift for me, to ask me to pray the first Hail Mary of the rosary for him.
As a result, I always remember him, all priests who have served my parish and city, and all priests (especially those I know personally) in mind during the second mystery. I always remember my pastor, Father Jeff, in a special way during the first Hail Mary, but then immediately broaden my prayer to cover all of the priests and seminarians who come to mind.
The Third Mystery: All deacons, and those in formation
As I pray the third mystery, I am mindful of and pray for the intentions of all deacons, and my brothers in formation for the diaconate. I pray for our service among God’s people in the world. I also take a moment to pray for all religious, especially the religious sisters who have served in our parish and school.
The Fourth Mystery: My wife, my sons, and our family
During the fourth mystery, I turn my prayer toward my wife Suzanne, my four sons, our parents, and our whole extended family.
The Fifth Mystery: The intentions of family and friends
At any point in time, if you’ve recently asked me to hold a personal intention in my prayers, it’s in front of my on a slip of paper as I pray the fifth mystery.
In recent days, that mindfulness and prayer has included Madalene and her family, my friend Carol and her son John and their family, and our friend Barbara and her aunt Anita and their family. As time goes on, this one changes the most and brings my mind the freshness of prayer. (Note that I find it helpful to include real names – even if it’s just their first name – if someone asks me to pray for someone, I ask for their name, so that it’s easier to be mindful, personal, and intentional while holding them in prayer.)
As I come close to ending the rosary, this also helps to turn my thoughts outward from the authority and structure that help to solidify and support my faith life, and outward toward the world where our prayer and action are needed.
What about you?
If you have a special way that you structure your mindfulness of the intentions you’re laying before Mary and Jesus as you pray the rosary, I’d love to hear about it in the comments here.
If you have a special intention that you would like me to remember as I pray the rosary, particularly the fifth mystery, please feel free to send me a message and I’d be glad to add your intention to my personal notes and list.
At last week’s National Order of the Arrow Conference (I’ll do a write-up about the whole event soon), National Chief Alex Call launched a movement in his Wednesday night address. He asked (“dared”) each of the 15,000 Arrowmen in attendance to join him in impacting the world in a positive way as the Order begins its second century of service. The concept is simple: Execute one, simple act of service (a “good turn”, as it’s been called in scouting for ages) each day. But now, instead of staying quiet about it, talk about it – Tweet about it or post it on Facebook with the hashtag #DareToDo. Why brag? Well, it’s not bragging as much as it is changing the common perception that there’s more bad than good in the world. By executing good deeds and spreading the word about them, we hope to start changing hearts and minds towards positive action one day at a time. The challenge was to take the #DareToDo pledge for 100 days, but I have a feeling that for many of us, it’ll continue beyond the first 100 days. We’d love others – YOU – to join us. Would you? Here’s a video of the 25-minute address where Alex issued the challenge:
Ideas to start with:
A friend asked, so here are some ideas to get you started. But first, it’s important to note that no idea is “too small”. As our National Chief said in his address:
Love is simply the act of making others matter. -OANC
Buy some cinnamon roles or other treats at the airport and take them around to the airline and airport employees (a friend did this at the Detroit airport today as they were flying home from NOAC)
Give an hour or two to help at a homeless shelter
Go spend some time with residents at a nursing home (some Arrowmen in Hawaii, catching wind of the challenge online, did this earlier this week)
Offer to take an elderly neighbor to the store, or to church, or just spend some time with them over a cup of coffee
Say “hi” to the person at school or at the office that no one usually speaks with – be friendly
Cover some extra work and hours for a coworker so that they can make it to a family event
Just give someone a warm smile
Cut the neighbor’s grass
Walk up and down your block picking up the trash
Help raise or collect some money for a good cause
Volunteer – anywhere!
Hold the door open for a few extra people
Be a little less aggressive in the morning rush
Help clean up your table to make the wait staff’s job easier
Check out some of the things other people are doing via the Twitter #DareToDo Search for more ideas
#DareToDo Had a great long call w/ my grandpa’s old friend who’s having a hard time dealing with his death. Becoming a new friend to her. — Michael Halbrook (@Halbrook) August 11, 2015
Day 7 – August 12:
#DareToDo: Simple today, but every little bit counts – Cleaned up the mess of paper towels on the floor in the office restroom.
Spent extra time helping an older, shorter lady get her suitcase into and out of the overhead bin. #DareToDo — Michael Halbrook (@Halbrook) August 13, 2015
Day 9 – August 14:
Today’s #DareToDo is real results to help ensure I’m here long-term for my wife & kids: Hard work = lowest weight & blood pressure in 2 yrs!
Emptied my pockets for the firemen collecting in their boots for charity outside of the local store. #DareToDo — Michael Halbrook (@Halbrook) August 15, 2015
#DareToDo Installed new A/V equipment in the media lab for our kids’ school’s morning announcement TV broadcasts. — Michael Halbrook (@Halbrook) August 18, 2015
[pey-tree-ahrk] n. noun 1. the male head of a family or tribal line.
My Grandpa Halbrook passed away this morning at 10:53. He was 85.
He was facing three necessary surgeries, each more risky and complicated than the last. His body didn’t carry him to the first. He was ready.
Roses are a special memory from times at grandma and grandpa’s when I was young. They kept a row of rose bushes along one side of their house, and I often went out and cut some to bring in to grandma.
The day of my grandma’s funeral 8 years ago this November, a single white November rose bloomed on the pink rose bush in front of our house. I knew that that meant something very special because of all that had led up to grandma’s passing.
This morning, there were two beautiful pink roses together on the bush. A patriarch is no such thing without a matriarch. They are together again…
Grandpa was a great man. True, brave, loyal, hard-working, knowledgeable, strict but fair. He had the right priorities, starting with family. He taught us all well, by word and by example.
He met grandma when he had a medical leave on the Japanese mainland while he was serving as a Marine in the Korean War. He fell in love. He faced resistance and friends that turned their backs when he brought her to the States. But that mattered not to them. Love wins.
Since their house was always blocks from mine growing up, I spent a lot of time there. I went there after preschool, and that’s when grandma and my Aunt Becky taught me to read (reading the St. Louis Post Dispatch newspaper). As I grew older, when I needed a break from my parents’ house, I could always ride my bike to visit grandma & grandpa’s house.
I’m sure my family will share a lot of memories in the coming days, weeks, and years, but here’s a short list of some of the random memories from grandma & grandpa’s:
Grandpa constantly reminding grandma that she’s really the boss
Grandma’s chair
Grandpa’s chair
Family
We’ll miss him terribly. In your kindness, please pray for our family, especially my dad, my Aunt Becky, and my Uncle Jerry.
I will always cherish the last hour I had alone with him last night, and the smile on his face when he saw his four great grandsons – my sons – visiting him for the last time last Saturday.
We’ll always remember…
Thanksgiving 2015. The Halbrook, Johnson, & Ahlvers guys. My 2 cousins had already left. 4 generations: My grandpa, his sons (my dad & uncle Jerry), my uncle Kerry, my brother, my brother-in-law Mike Ahlvers, and my 4 boys.
Grandpa’s obituary is yet to be written, but for when it’s ready, I’ll re-post grandma’s, from November 11, 2007. [Updated: Obituary here]
In the end, the two are inseparable…
Judy (Kimura) Halbrook, 79, of Granite City, died at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, at the University Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edwardsville.
She was born on Feb. 10, 1928, in Nagoya, Japan. Mrs. Halbrook was a homemaker; she was sworn in as a United States citizen on Jan. 26, 1960.
She married Ross Halbrook on Aug. 13, 1952, in Kyoto, Japan. He survives after 55 years of marriage.
Other survivors include two sons, Woody (Rita) Halbrook and Jerry (Shelly) Halbrook, both of Granite City; one daughter, Becky (Kerry) Johnson of Granite City; eight grandchildren, Michael (Suzanne), Sara (Michael), Sean, Kyle, Kelsey, Christopher, Kimura, Brett; and two great-grandchildren, Thomas and Matthew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Toji and Kohagi Kimura; and one brother.
Funeral services were Saturday, Nov. 10, at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City, with the Rev. Larry Burnette officiating.
The body was cremated.
Memorials may be made to Holy Family Church Learning Center or Holy Family School, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Today, I’m sharing a massive Throwback Thursday (#TBT): A stockpile of thoughts and memories that have come to me in recent weeks as I’ve been pondering the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow. I’m also sharing audio of two great men who had a huge impact on my life: my old mentor & lodge adviser Jim Dedera, and the founder of the OA Dr. E. Urner Goodman.
Last Thursday was the true 100th Anniversary of the first callout and Ordeal in the Order of the Arrow, the founding of Scouting’s National Honor Society. I Facebooked:
100 years ago today, the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national honor society and the bedrock of the formation of servant leaders among scouting’s best, was founded. Apart from my family and church, the Order within scouting provided the most opportunities to grow in leadership and service, and to practice skills of management, organization, marketing, writing, communication, leadership, and more that I use in my day-to-day life. The Order of the Arrow helped make me who I am, and I’m honored to still be active and playing an active role in the celebration of the 100th Anniversary this year.
I’ve been meaning to dig up a little Throwback Thursday (#TBT) in honor of the 100th Anniversary, but first I needed some time to digitize an old tape that’s been sitting on my desk for a few months since I ran across it. Now I’ve had time, so it’s time to share. So here’s a random assembly of memories of my time in the Order of the Arrow, sandwiched between the 100th Anniversary date last week and me leaving to help on the staff of the 100th Anniversary National OA Conference (NOAC) at Michigan State University next week.
First, some memories of my own Ordeal, when I became a member of the Order of the Arrow after being elected by my fellow scouts in my own troop. My Ordeal (per my copious childhood notes) was on June 20, 1990. I give you 25 years ago:
Notes from the inside of my first OA Handbook
These two pictures are scans from a framed collage that the Hewlett family gave me the day I was presented my Eagle Scout rank. In these pictures, I’m wearing the red scout hat, my dad is wearing the boonie hat, my friend and troopmate Mark Hewlett is in the red shorts, and our Elangomat John Peery is in the white shirt with green bands. Mark, my dad, and I served our Ordeal together. Mark and I went on to become the first two Eagle Scouts in our troop, with our boards of review on the same night (November 14, 1991).
Ordeal, June 1990
Ordeal, June 1990
We put in a lot of work that weekend in moving and re-building the camp’s monument to the donor of the land to its new location. Our troop had moved the monument as a service project during our week at camp – on our Ordeal, we built a stone walkway up to the monument.
For context, here’s a picture of me with 3 of my boys and my dad at the same monument, just 2 years ago:
At the Sunnen monument with dad, Thomas, Matthew, & Joseph in 2013.
After my Ordeal, I attended NOAC in 1990 at Indiana University for two days (dad, Mark, and I drove out and “walked in” – we even made it into the Theme Show! I was hooked). I got active in the newly-merged Kishkakon lodge in 1991 as camp promotions chairman, then served as lodge secretary from 1992-1994. I served on staff at the 1992 NOAC on the publications staff, writing for the NOAC Today newspaper. I covered the ’92 Summer Olympics and all things happening in the arena with OA Shows.
Working NOAC publications staff in ’92. Reading an advance copy of a show script and pre-writing the article on an antique computer.
At the ’94 NOAC, I was in the Theme Show cast as part of the shows staff. Here’s a picture of me with a bunch of my lodge brothers (and fellow cast members) before we left for NOAC in ’94:
NOAC 1994 Theme Show cast, before leaving home for NOAC.
Just prior to leaving for NOAC, I was honored to be called out to keep the Vigil:
Vigil callout, Camp Warren Levis, July 1994.
I served as lodge chief in 1995-1996, blessed to work with our lodge adviser Jim Dedera, who by then had become a close friend, adviser, and mentor. Jim passed away a couple of years ago, but not without leaving an indelible mark on hundreds of young men, including me and the close friends that I made while sharing in the leadership of the lodge in our service to our council and communities.
With Jim (our adviser) and my fellow officers, Winter Banquet 1994.
A few years back, Jim gave me a cassette tape that I tucked away until finding it a few months ago.
Cassette tape from Jim.
The cassette tape had a recording of Dr. E. Urner Goodman’s (the OA founder’s) recorded message to Arrowman on the occassion of the OA’s 50th anniversary in 1965, and a short reflection recorded by Jim himself. I’ve finally digitized it and can share it here:
Here’s “Vision Check”, in Jim Dedera’s own voice:
Here’s the text of the Jim’s “Vision Check” recording:
When was the last time that you had your vision checked? No, I don’t mean a physical eye check, but a vision check of the spirit. Each one of us needs to check the vision of the spirit within us often, and to reflect. The vision of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service is important to each of us as individual Arrowmen. Brotherhood is not self-serving or lacking in love for one another, but Brotherhood is love, and Brotherhood is trust. Brotherhood is friendly. Brotherhood is kind. Brotherhood is caring. Brotherhood is accepting each other for who we are. Is that a reflection of our vision of Brotherhood? Cheerfulness is also a thing of the spirit. It comes from within. The inner vision of Cheerfulness is reflected in our attitude toward life and those with whom we come into contact. Cheerfulness is a reflection of our individual being. Is this a vision that we might have of Cheerfulness? Service, also, is of the internal spirit. Service is caring for each other and a willingness to share ourself. Yes, Service is a thing of the individual and of the team. Think of that word Team, and the letters in it. Together Everyone Achieves More in service to fellow man. Good vision is important for every Arrowman. Vision gives focus, expectation, motivation, and it sustains us for the long haul, to keep the spirit alive. Good vision of the spirit truly shapes who we are. A regular vision check of the WWW is always worthwhile. Be sure to remember that a vision check without a task is only a dream. May we together in the lodge continue to seek the higher vision and to find the greater beauty.
Pre-Vigil Callout, mid-’90s. Dan Reid, me, Matt Reid, Kris Klaustermeier.
It means the world to hear Jim’s voice talking to us, challenging us, again. Talk about a “Throwback”!
With these brothers and friends, I learned to serve and to lead.
In 1996, I assisted in the direction of the NOAC Theme Show; in 1998 and 2000, I served as assistant and then Technical Director for NOAC Shows; in 2002, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to write the NOAC Theme Show; in 2004 & 2006, I led the communication operations for NOAC shows and in ’06 was lucky to be able to walk my first-born son Thomas across the NOAC stage in a stroller (the setting was a mall, and we were a “young family” of extras – I maintain that he’s now the youngest cast member in the history of the NOAC Theme Show). I also helped produce and lead the OA’s thematic theatrical productions at the ’97, ’01, and ’05 National Scout Jamborees.
Without a doubt, the Order of the Arrow “provided the most opportunities to grow in leadership and service, and to practice skills of management, organization, marketing, writing, communication, leadership, and more that I use in my day-to-day life. The Order of the Arrow helped make me who I am, and I’m honored to still be active and playing an active role in the celebration of the 100th Anniversary this year.”
Most importantly, it gave me skills AND FRIENDSHIPS for life. All around the country, but especially here at home.
My groomsmen, 2004. All brothers in the Order.
So I’ll close this Throwback Thursday with words from the founder of the Order, E. Urner Goodman, from his recording for Arrowmen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Order in 1965. Here’s the audio:
And here’s the transcription:
My fellow Arrowmen, during this our Golden Jubilee year, I just wish I might fly on some magic carpet to attend the celebrations in each area and in each local lodge of the Order of the Arrow. What a time we could have together. Well, for lack of that magic carpet, I do want to use the modern magic of the tape recording to bring my greetings and best wishes to you on this happy occasion. So here I am in my living room up in Vermont. My technician this morning is none other than the moderator of our town meetings here in the town of Winhall, Vermont. As I speak, I shall try to picture you in my mind’s eye, gathered about me, and imagine myself looking at each of you, face to face.
Well, Golden Jubilees are rare events, aren’t they? And we do well to make merry. I remember the golden wedding of my grandparents, in whose home I was raised. Grandpa Goodman was a very dignified old gentleman, but on that festive occasion, he even did a dance – after fashion. And he and grandma lived to celebrate many more wedding anniversaries after that one. So as the Order observes its 50th Anniversary, it is natural that we should have some big doings. As I speak, I am looking forward to the weekend celebration at Treasure Island in June. What a time that should be. God-willing, we should have a notable reunion, too, of the pioneers of the Order. My associate director of Treasure Island Camp in 1915, whom I like to call the co-founder, Carroll Edson; and then the very first chief of the very first lodge, George Chapman; and the young fellow who went with me into the woods to select and to prepare the first ceremonial grounds, Harry Yoder. Interestingly enough, George and Harry are still very active and interested in the Order, 50 years later.
Then, of course, my heart is set on the 50th Anniversary National Conference in August, at Indiana University, August 27-31, you remember. This fine campus has been the scene of many a national conference through the years, and in a very real sense, the Order has left its imprint on the grounds. Look for it when you get there. What a time it will be on our 50th. Plans are going forward to make this the biggest and best national conference ever. Meanwhile, in the Boy Scouts of America Report to the Nation during boy scout week, we are presenting a special report on our 50th anniversary to the President and to the governors of our 50 states. And besides such spectacular events, I am sure that in area conferences – yes, in local lodge celebrations, we shall make merry during our 50th anniversary year. I’m so glad that a special ceremony for such anniversary pow-wows in local lodges has been published. 1965 should be our big year in the Order of the Arrow – full of dramatic events. Now, my brothers, this you would expect me to say too: Our 50th anniversary year should be marked not only by festivities, but also by some notable achievements in service. I’m delighted that this begins with each individual arrowman.
By this time, I’m sure you’re all familiar with the special emblem that is to be awarded to each member of our Order who does five things related to our usefulness to scouting this year. I want to challenge every one of you to win this individual award, and shall be looking for it, ultimately, on your Order of the Arrow sashes. Earning this award means many more boys in troops in our camps, many worthwhile camp improvement projects, better scouting, better advancement, and most important of all, many new boys will have an opportunity to join in on the fun and adventure of scouting as cub scouts, boy scouts, and explorers.
One further admonition do I have for you as individual brothers: That you will in this anniversary year do your level best to set the very finest personal example as a true scout and a real brother. I have found, as you have, that others look upon us and expect to see a quality above the ordinary. The arrow is a hallmark of distinction. By the same token, it will be a wonderful thing if each lodge in the nation undertakes some special service project of worth during the year: One that will make your local scout council glad that 50 years ago the Order was brought into existence. Here we have a challenge and an opportunity to do some really big things. Let’s do them cheerfully.
Our chief area of service, of course, is in camping, for the Order has its roots in the camp. One thing that had delighted me in the past few years has been the way in which a number of our lodges have produced booklets on where to go camping for the use of all scouts and explorer units in their territory. Recently, I received another such booklet from the adviser of lodge #468 of the Mount Diabalo Council in California. It was one of the more complete jobs I have ever laid eyes on. It gives guidance not only to local council camping centers, but also to regional parks, state parks, and recreation areas, national monuments and parks, national scout camps, and historic trails. Now I must confess that this particular booklet had a sentimental appeal to me, my brothers, because the adviser who sent it to me is Gilson M. Talmadge, whom I have sometimes called “My very first scout.” You see, it was he, who as a boy led a handful of other boys to my front door in April 1911 and asked me to take them on a hike, eventually to become their Scoutmaster. Well, anyway, let’s make a great record for scout camping in our jubilee year.
I have another specific project which has been on my heart as a feature of our jubilee program: It relates to our preservation of the lore and the culture of our aborigines, the American Indian. My hope is that in each lodge, there will be a special report during 1965 on its study of the particular tribe or tribes which occupied its council territory. Yes, more than that, a report on what it has done to make the costumes and learn the dances and ceremonies of these early people come to life again. When we assemble all of these reports at the end of our anniversary year, it should make one of the most noteworthy reports ever compiled in this field. It would be a great birthday present to the nation.
There’s one more thing I want to say: The Order is not, and indeed never was, one man’s doing. From the very beginning, there were those, young and old, who helped lay the foundation. Men like Dr. Hinkle, a Philadelphia Scoutmaster, for instance, who did much of the early work on our ceremonies. As the Order grew, many men gave superb leadership to its growth in local lodges, and in our various areas and regions, and above all in our national committee. What a wonderful succession of chairmen we have had for that body. What a great step forward it was when we began selecting outstanding young men to be our national secretary and had area chiefs take over our national conferences. So here we are today, a great host of over 200,000 brothers in cheerful service, that covers every state in the Union. I shall never cease to be grateful to those who have helped bring us to this day.
My brothers, I remember how I felt when I became 50 years of age. I was ready to conquer the world for righteousness, figuratively speaking. I was a man full-grown, with a lot of experience behind me. And so, bring on your problems and give me a chance at them! That was my frame of mind. So may it be with us as we celebrate our golden jubilee. With the help and guidance of Almighty God, may we be willing to tackle any appropriate task of cheerful service that will contribute to the brotherhood of man. Amid all the voices of pessimism and discouragement in the world today, we offer out of our 50 years’ experience with dedicated youth, hope for brighter, better days ahead. May God guide each one of you to make the most of his life in this great crusade.
Well now, as I close this little talk, let me lead you in the traditional birthday song, using the words “My brothers” at the end… Happy birthday to you… To brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service! To the next 100 years!
It was cool to read what Blair Reeves had to write about Adobe in his Bullish Data Newsletter… pretty much in line with what we’ve been telling the market we’re trying to do, and have been heads-down working on for the last few years. Wonderful to be in the company of other great, smart, passionate professionals in our #AdobeLife who are working together and becoming “a cast study candidate”…
Adobe is a rocket ship
Adobe’s Q2 report came out on Monday, and I updated my running chart of financial performance for the company and Marketing Cloud specifically. The company is on a tear. While their P/E multiple is still at eye-watering levels, in 2015 they’ve nearly doubled their operating margin from where it was in 2013/2014 and begun to ramp up net income in a big way. The fruits of their pivot to a cloud model are beginning to show.
One day, Adobe should be a case study candidate for a company that has successfully done two extremely difficult things well – simultaneously. First, they pivoted from an on–prem software model to mostly cloud. The transition to Creative Cloud, while ceasing the sale of their on-prem creative products, involved swapping out one source of revenue for another (recurring) one, which distorted the optics of their revenue growth for several years. It’s a tribute to their strong leadership and clear communication that they were able to do it as a public company.
Second, they built an industry-leading digital marketing line of business from virtually nothing. Starting with the Omniture acquisition in 2009, Adobe has deftly managed its marketing tech acquisitions in such a way as to build enormous value around the portfolio as a whole, and not just through the sum of its parts. (Can you tell I’m trying to avoid saying “synergy?”) Very, very few companies have done this nearly as successfully.
I’ll never forget Corpus Christi 2015. The Feast of Corpus Christi (currently designated in the Roman Missal as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) is traditionally celebrated today, the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. However, in our calendar in the United States, we will celebrate it this coming Sunday. I love this feast day because of what it celebrates and focuses us on: The Body and Blood of Christ, the joy of the institution and presence of the Eucharist, and our call to be members of Christ’s Body, and to take Him into the world in our own lives and actions. A Diaconate Apirant – A “Yes” from our Diocese As such, it’s particularly meaningful to me that today is the day that I received a long-awaited letter from Father Christopher House, the Director of the Office of the Diaconate in our diocese, informing me that I have been selected to be a member of the diaconate class of 2020 in our diocese, with my formation to begin formally this coming fall. Today, Corpus Christi 2015, I begin a new journey. It’s notable and important to mention something that’s been weighing on my heart and heavy on my mind the last several months since I applied for consideration for this: The Chalice When I submitted my application packet for the diaconate formation program to the diocese, I immediately started to feel a draw back to really focus and reflect on the chalice whenever the priest would elevate it at Mass. For years, knowing that my dad wasn’t Catholic, I would silently pray to myself at the elevation, “God, if it be your Will, please call my dad into communion via your precious blood.” Three years ago at the Easter Vigil, I was blessed with the honor to stand with him and sponsor him as he entered into full Communion in the Church and received the Holy Eucharist for the first time. I’ve been thinking a lot about that prayer that I said for years, and how the deacon assists the priest at Mass by helping to prepare the chalice, and then later at the final doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer, by elevating the chalice as the priest raises the paten with the Eucharistic bread. I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of the deacon assisting in this way, and then about the primary ministry of the deacon being service out in the world, on the streets, where we need more and more to make Christ present… the connections between the deacon and the chalice, between service and sacrifice, between each of us and the role and service we’re called to within Christ’s Body. Fathers & Sons And then, as I continue to reflect on that silent prayer to Christ present in the chalice, and my own father’s journey, I find it funny that I found out about my admission while flying home on a work trip… in the Admirals Club at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, asking my oldest son to read the letter to me over the phone. He couldn’t stand to wait, and neither could I. He got it honestly, I suppose. It was a special moment for him and for me. I’ll admit – I teared up a bit.
Fathers and sons, men and women, ordained and lay. Music directors and diaconate aspirants. We all have our place in the Body of Christ – we’re all called in various ways, and when He gives us the grace to answer that call and act upon it, wonderful things begin to happen. Pray for vocations.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.”
Usually, when I’ve heard or read the parable of the vine and the branches, I’ve mainly been drawn toward and reflected upon the phrases about being part of the vine and remaining in Christ – that is, remaining in Christ’s body by living as he taught and following God’s commandments.
This morning when I heard the Gospel proclaimed at Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, I heard a different part that I hadn’t even noticed before – emphasized in this clip:
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified,that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15:1-8, emphasis mine)
I don’t know how I had never really heard that phrase toward the beginning before. I think I was always ready for and anticipating the meat in the middle, about living in Christ as branches on Him, the vine.
But the part at the beginning – about every branch that does bear fruit being pruned by the Father so that it bears more fruit? That part struck a chord for me because of much of my own discernment and reflection in recent years. God prunes us? Yes! He does.
A plant that is pruned, cut back in the right ways at appropriate times, is healthier and more vigorous. Pruning can lead to larger shoots, prolonged and enhanced blooming, resistance to pests and environmental challenges, and even a better root system.
What about our own bring pruned? Let me tell a story of a time this became vivid in my own faith life. It was painful, if for a brief moment, but it was a pruning, and it allowed me to bear more fruit in new ways.
For several years after my two terms on our parish pastoral council, I had held responsibility (and great pride) for our parish website. I knew that I was probably one of the best in the parish for bearing this “fruit”, with my background, skills, knowledge, and access to the tools and technology to do it well.
However, less than a year into a new pastor arriving at our parish, even though we had developed a good relationship and rapport, there was a moment when we had a very abrupt and hurtful encounter. I randomly ran into him one day around the parish grounds while I was preparing music for a retreat that weekend. He pulled me aside and said something like, “Oh, next week I’ll work with you to get the website turned over to [another person]. You don’t need to do that anymore.”
I was hurt – deeply hurt. But all kinds of conflicting emotion were already fighting within me. I wasn’t mad, because at the same time that I was hurt that this came out of the blue, so suddenly, without any discussion or concern for my thoughts or feelings, I also knew deep down that I was a little bit thankful that this responsibility had been taken off my shoulders. I wasn’t certain that the other person could do what I thought was “as good of a job”, but I knew that he would do well and that God would provide for that. At the same time I was grieving having something I took such great pride in swiped from my hands (if it was ever really in my hands, since it was God’s work in the end), I was a bit happy that I could occupy my time, attention, and skills in some new ideas and areas.
I bounced back from that moment fairly quickly. Thankfully, on that weekend retreat, I was able to connect my feelings of hurt with the words of the Lord’s Prayer that remind us to forgive in the measure we hope to be forgiven for our sins. My “pruning” in this situation had resolved itself fairly quickly.
Sometimes these moments of pruning that God gives us in life aren’t as fast or easy to get through or resolve. Sometimes the resolution can take months or years. Sometimes it takes an entire lifetime.
But there it is, plain as day at the start of the 15th chapter of John’s Gospel: We are to remain in Christ’s body, as branches of Him, the true vine; and when we bear fruit, the Father will prune us so that we bear more fruit.
Since the situation with the website that I just mentioned, I’ve become more conscious of the commitments that I have in the Church, in my family, and in the world, and in the ways that I have to try to be careful to not over commit. This is hard, and it’s a process that I am constantly undergoing.
Sometimes when I do realize that I’ve taken on too much, I have to prayerfully step back, take some time, and discern where I’m truly needed the most, and where my own unique talents can provide the most benefit.
Sometimes this leads to painful decisions to step back from things that I care deeply about, to find other people on the vine of Christ who will bear good fruit in these areas and ensure they are well taken care of before I do step back.
In recent months, as I’ve continued to discern what I believe to be a call to the Diaconate formation program in our diocese, I’ve reflected a great amount on the “prunings” that I will have to accept if I’m accepted into the program and take this path. For one, I will have to give up the work with music that I do (and love) in my home parish. That is a pruning that I’ve had to pray and consider deeply whether I’m willing or ready to accept, and there are many dimensions of that prayerful discernment: I cherish my hours in the choir loft, at the organ, with my friends and fellow choir members. I cherish the fact that my sons enjoy being up there with me so much, and that Thomas so enjoys playing the flute with us. I don’t even know yet whether I’ll be accepted into the program and start this new journey, but I know that I have come to peace with the “prunings” that I will have to be open to God making in my own life in order to follow that call.
And so it always comes back to the question: Is it my will or God’s Will that I seek? Do I want to choose to risk becoming the unwieldy, overgrown bush that has resisted the pruning and no longer bears new fruit in abundance? Or do I embrace the risk and the sometimes unknowns that come from accepting God’s Will – God’s pruning action in our lives?
Are there new ways God is calling me to go? New directions in which I am to grow and bear new types of fruit?
God prunes our lives in various ways in due time – new careers, new family and friend associations, new places in which to live, new crosses to bear in our daily walk. But the Gospel tells us that the pruning is for an end: so that we can bear more fruit.
It takes great grace and some pain to “be pruned”; that is, to allow the unnecessary to be removed from our lives. Unfruitful commitments, relationships, and the like are sometimes very hard to step away from. And, truly, it’s sometimes very fruitful commitments or very loving relationships that God takes from us in order to make room for something new, something that may even surprise us.
Leonardo da Vinci was known for referring to sculpture as “the art of removing.” We have to become ready to let God, the master potter, work the clay of our lives and remove the unnecessary, to help us become an even more beautiful work of art.
What are the keys to this from our standpoint? Studying and remaining true to God’s Word and to the truths of our faith is one. The other, critical key is a very strong, committed life of prayer. Taking a break from the busy-ness of our daily lives and our commitments provides the space in which to reflect upon where we can and should be going, and listening for God’s guidance.
A life of reading, reflecting upon, listening to the ministers of the Church teach about, and LIVING in God’s Word, and then accepting the prunings God provides, will bring us to the great glory that God has prepared for each of us from the beginning of time.
May God give us the grace to accept the pains of the pruning, the excitement of new growth, and the joys of bearing fruit in his vineyard.
Crucifix, “Trinitarian Cross” by Suzanne Young (first discovered at St. Boniface Koinonia 1) Icon from my sabbatical retreat at Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey in the summer of 2013.
Tonight I walked into Kool Beanz Cafe, the coffee shop a few blocks from home, for an end-of-day coffee. Victoria, the owner, pointed out a jar on the cabinets behind the front counter. Lemon drops. I smiled as she explained that someone had brought them in a few days ago, asked whether I still frequented there, and then left them for me to find.
So I explained the lemon drop story to her…
A few Koinonia retreat weekends ago, lemon drops came up in a friend’s talk on the weekend. A group of us started discussing our shared love of lemon drops, and eventually a “tradition” started to form, which took root over subsequent Koinonia weekends, of lemon drops symbolizing prayers. Some of us keep lemon drops handy with us, others keep them in bowls on our desks. Some of us do both. But the idea is the same:
Every lemon drop is a prayer.
If you take a lemon drop, you have to say a prayer. If you need a prayer, you can eat a lemon drop as you say it. The lemon drop carries the sourness and bitterness of the pain that often leads to prayer, but also the sweetness of the suffering and in the redemption and grace God provides.
I’ll just say that some days I eat a lot of lemon drops!
And the jar… the Wheat!
Then I noticed the jar… it was engraved with the artwork of a stalk of wheat. So I had to ask whether my friend who left the lemon drops had left the jar. “No,” she said, “it was just handy and what I grabbed to put the lemon drops into.”
I explained how Wheat plays such a key and meaningful role in the theology and the makeup of a Koinonia retreat weekend. The wheat ties to the theme of Koinonia, the Paschal Mystery (the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus). It represents our own dying to self in prayer and in action, for ourselves, for each other, and for the world.
How amazing and powerful (a “God Wink”, some might say) that the lemon drops behind the counter just so happened to end up in a jar of wheat.
“That’s the Holy Spirit”, I said as I prepared to leave.
