“….they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers,telling them, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ “
Matthew 28:8-15
This floors me.
His band of brothers abandoned Him when things became threatening. And yet, He never backed down. All were witness to the horrendous end they chose for Him to endure for our sake. He accepted it fully. Without condition.
Neither “chief priest” nor “elder” could hold a candle to His level of covenant with us. As is to this very day, well designed deceit funded appropriatelty is the primary weapon used to defend the status of ego, rank and false esteem. Endorse, spread and maintain the lie.
As Bishop Barron asserts, there are faculty lounge versions of His life, death and so called resurrection. All attempts at mythifying truth. To this day, still well designed deceit, funded appropriately to encourage disbelief and spread that word. All meant to efend the status of ego, rank and false esteem.
Though thousands of years have passed, the chief priests and elders remain, renew and multiply.
In that regard, nothing much has changed in this world since then.
Thank God we were provided the option to choose another world in which to live.
The shopping I do sans list. Operating on a hunch and whimsy. Wrapping and then being there for the unwrapping. The look on faces and the joy that abounds and surrounds. I love Christmas.
But Lent?
Now that is where I learned to thrive. Its deep, loving and reflective guidance towards the truth of Easter Sunday is what I need to flourish.
This one was truly singular in its impact on my life. So daunting in its many insights and affirmations. It will be my mission to employ the lessons learned this Lent as the cornerstone of maintaining this mind, heart and soul set until I embark my forty day pilgrimage next year.
To answer, I would first have to address some verbiage and perspectives I hold that are consistent with this query. This stoic makes everything a job. Bet you didn’t see that coming.
I cannot say for certain that my mind goes to “job” when it comes to work or employment. Maybe it’s the connotation that steers me in another direction. A ‘”job” is what you have to do. Something more severe than an assignment. The harsh side of obligation. Being spent in an arduous, boring transaction that only renders cash.
“….a regular, contracted activity or piece of work performed in exchange for payment, serving as an individual’s role, task, or position of employment. It is the specific, often repetitive, set of responsibilities and duties an person holds, distinct from a broader career or profession.”
I don’t look at things that way. Like “I have to go to work”, or “I have to find another job”, You get to do a lot of things in life, and this is just another part of living it. I have been fortunate to have remained engaged in employment my entire life. In some situations, those around me asserted I was not making enough, was worth more, and was working for free.
The self worth aspects of that are being addressed as we speak.
But when the work engaged me in areas other than my wallet, I think I thrived in that environment. It was never a job at that point. It was fulfilling, affirming and necessary. So in that regard, I probably did work for free, or some modicum of charity.
Cannot recall the year, but I used to push my parents lawnmower and gas can around the neighborhood and cut lawns. Learned how to paint houses. Then pumped gas, learned how to check oil, then change oil and fill tires. Unloaded trucks and loaded butcher tables at a meat processing business.
Cleaned hospitals.
Learned to drive stick in a 10 ton dump truck to pick up gravel and ashphalt to patch streets and curbs in my hometown.
Sold appliances. Then into the business world of manufacturing and distribution. Now job development and coaching for those with diverse abilities. Looking into some other areas for engagement and enrichment. Hospice care? Maybe more writing. Who knows.
Everyone of these “jobs” had elements of charity in them. Where I did things off the clock. For free. It is just how I have always rolled. Now? I am never really off the clock. But as long as I can give something back, that is compensation enough. It may not swell the check book. But sure does so for the heart and soul.
So very, very long story short, in my stoic noggin, I have really never had a job. I just like to give my time, talents and treasures in a variety of manners, wherever, to just live my life. No rhyme or reason really. Sort of off the cuff. Never went to college to be anything other than an athlete. The degree just came along with the arthritis.
Has always been make it up as I go.
Things may have been tense and rocky at times. But it all worked out. And will continue to do so. That brings with it a great sense of freedom and serenity. If there happens to be a paycheck involved, then so be it.
But until then, I will keep working as I always have.
Over the years, a way sort of presented itself to me.
So I just went with it.
Of late, after I am sure I am breathing, I then have to ensure limbs function. Shuffle off to Buffalo, start coffee, concoct a liquid IV for my best friend and gather her backpack and thermos together. I like to pack her car early so she can just focus on getting ready for a day of teaching. That is plenty to think about.
If it is garbage day, they get rolled out. Make the bed. Make sure sink is empty. Then if I need to start fast, off to communion service by seven. If there is room, then off to morning mass a quarter after eight. In between, if time allows, then daily prompt. If not, then onto the day.
I once read that if at minimum you make your bed, then despite how the rest of the day pans out, you have accomplished one thing.
Bet you never guessed I make hospital corners.
So many things I attend to take time and investment to blossom. Sort of the path I have chosen to travel. So I will gladly accept healthy modes of instant gratification whenever possible. Like weeding. In thirty minutes, you can change the appearance of a flower bed. In three minutes, the appearance of your bedroom. In one, the kitchen.
Nothing nit picky about these whatsoever. The tone is set, the momentum gathers and you can ride that wave for the rest of the day. Same with ending it. Closing ceremony routine there. Maybe that is the next prompt?
Maybe it has been termed “routine” because it is something needed. But it doesn’t feel as such.
“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” ― Shel Silverstein
When my kids became the focal point of a prompt a day or so ago, memories of books we read together returned. Some I recall were authored by Shel Silverstein, favorites because the poetically humorous poems and stories. I ventured around a little to stir up some smiles and happened upon what he said above.
Part of it reminded me of how I described independence as they grew up. I had them envision being on this great open field, with a fence line way off in the distance. The boundary was there solely for their protection. Provided they thought, spoke and acted according to the rules they were raised under, they could run that field all over. They were entrusted with that level of independence.
The fence, as I said, was for their protection. If I sensed they are getting close, we might have a chat to discuss the need to respect that boundary. Did not want any harm to come their way. Once they were of a certain age, then they could leave it or move it. That was their responsibility then. It seemed to work. They all have their lives, their loves and are thriving.
And then, when I read this, the mention of the “impossibles, the wont’s and the never haves” struck another chord. The one orchestrated to sing the praises about being what you were meant to be, embracing the mission of life and finding your purpose. Never to set them on top of others. Just apart, and only in the sense that they were free to find themselves. That there was no boundary to their exploration.
...my temporary assignment. 