I do my best to read the daily gospel reflections from Bishop Barron. As I continue my work to regain the conviction to return I am finding each day’s offering extends far beyond the scope of its intentions. At least that is how I read and feel them.
Parallels abound, things click in all manners and his words convey images, ideas and interests faar beyond the message of the moment. Thank you for shaking things up and making me think, Bishop.
So today, He says “who do you say that I am?”. A point blank address to those around Him to confess the known but unsaid truth. To put what was known into words. So that all were not just aligned, but all understood and all confirmed the veracity of what things were. Sorry, kind of selling that historic moment short.
Now in no way am I contending that I deserve that level of consideration from anyone let alone twelve. But when I read this, I actually wondered what those that “know” me say that I am. For it is certain that I struggle saying who I am. And I am confident that those around me see something that is for lack of a better term, exists in total obscurity to me.
Now He asked because he knew, and wanted them to come to see and share in that knowledge. I ask because I am not so keen on what it is that I am, and seek to understand what is obvious to those but me.
While He was made to be Him, I was made to be me. You were made to be you. It can be challenging when there is alot of gray and we just are not certain who we say we are as was He. Perhaps there is something else to be gained from today’s gospel.
Relinquish the resistance towards something bigger than yourself. Like trust in how you were made. What you are intended to do.
“If you can’t live through adversity, you’ll never be good at what you do. You have to live through the unfair things, and you have to develop the hide to not let it bother you and keep your eyes focused on what you have to do.”
— Maurice “Hank” Greenberg
I will go one step further.
It is simply not enough to live through adversity, to choose a path of tolerant coexistence and acceptance. Instead, you have to learn how to embrace another tack, and go far beyond just leaning into it.
You have to figure out how to thrive in it. Because if you are living right, adversity ain’t ever gonna be a “one and done” thing. “If” that something just happens to happen.
Adversity will then always be a “when” event.
That is for certain.
Because if you consistently push out beyond your personal envelope of safety and constantly venture out beyond the confines of comfort, you will be creating guarantors that produce more than your fair share of adversity. The “when” will then always be the operative word to describe the frequency of adversity’s presence in all of your endeavors.
So perhaps at first, leaning directly into an increasing array of challenges isn’t always possible or prudent. After all, they are new surroundings. And this is an acquired taste.
But in time, you will learn to thrive in this environment. Not just in spite of it – but because of it. You will develop a rare sense of perspective. Become adept at recognizing the opportunity that is hidden within every trial and tribulation. And then, proceed to shine in spite of it.
I promise.
Sure a thicker hide will help absorb and deflect the punishment those moments are bound to deliver as Mr. Greenburg asserts.
But a stoutness of character paired with a resolute courage in your convictions will always help you to overcome just about anything.
And not just “if “ they do.
But when they present themselves.
Then, once that begins to happen, things will no longer happen to you.
I do not read nearly as much as I ought. From authors hardbound that is. A trend that is overdue for reversal. Like many of you, scanning and skimming through articles that crawl across various feeds or are born of various searches have become the norm.
Getting the bulk of your reading done in this manner mandates that both electronic, personal and BS filters be set at optimum levels. Yet one enduring positive derivative of this practice is the unrelenting exposure to all sorts of thoughts and words. And if you allow curiosity to assume the point, this begets more opportunity for learning and discernment.
By employing this method, one can stumble upon all sorts of verbiage. Even for the first time in fifty seven some years on this planet, to my chagrin.
Like this one.
“Fecundity”.
Generally speaking, fecundity is defined by various and sundry sites as “the quality or power of producing abundantly; fruitfulness or fertility. Productive or creative power”.
Then, following curiosity’s capable lead, a second site went on to illustrate fecundity further:
“It refers to a powerful productivity, usually in the area of natural growth, either from the earth or by human reproduction. But it can also be used to describe great mental ability and creativity, the ability to create intellectual products. In any case, fecundity has a positive sense, suggesting healthy growth of life-forms and mental abilities.”
Now those of you that have come to know this author’s works may have already sensed the impending drop of the other shoe.
For it was first a post from Bishop Robert Barron that actually begat all of this introspection.
An alert of sorts, announcing his forthcoming Sunday homily, titled surprisingly enough; “The Fecundity of Your Heart”
An amazing turn of the word.
For if you can figure out a way to lead with it, despite the inevitable bruising, battering and bleeding, your heart does have an innate capacity and power to produce in abundance. Especially one crop that seems always in short supply; good.
The Master Gardener enriched that small parcel within each one of us.
The ideal soil to accept the seeds He sows. A “fecundus” environment He purposely designed to provide us with lasting and loving growth.
“God sows his Word into each of our hearts liberally. He does not solely give his grace to those he knows will bear fruit. He sows the Word in everyone, but it doesn’t flourish for each person due to circumstances (secularism, anxiety, the allurement of the world). Strive to counter that by letting the Word open you to the implications of his Lordship. God is always giving himself to you, listen and act.” Bishop Robert Barron
But being rich in its composition and depth, far too often weeds and thistles become tenant farmers within that parcel of our hearts. Lacking due diligence, we neglect the soil. We never develop the necessary commitment to till the land He gave us.
That parcel within may become barren. And His words may never take root.
Our hearts can become overgrown, crowding out the words He continuously and intentionally sows. Not just for one season. But over, and over and over yet again.
God is always giving himself to us. If we can learn to listen, and then, act, we can produce an abundance of good for those around us. And, reap a portion of that harvest yet for ourselves.
Fecundity.
A richness of life the master gardener longingly wants each one of us to experience.
As the prized fruit of the seed of His word, acts and love.
As mentioned, that short time we were blessed with on the LOS, passed by. The gifts granted during those precious moments have become more central to life. It has taken time, a tremendous sense of faith, and a firm investment in patience to see how all of this has evolved into an entity all its own.
Purpose.
As manifested in a temporary assignment
I am not sure how long it takes others to discern, realize and then choose to pursue a path towards their eventual purpose. I truly admire those that are able to follow their call upon hearing those words, simply trusting what is being said to them, heeding their call to pursue medicine, teaching, entrepreneurship, the Lord or whatever their vocation happens to take them.
Yet perhaps in this circumstance – like others I will presume – the voice was there, but life in the present just got in the way. It became muffled, reduced to a slight whisper. Becoming overshadowed by the demands of the moment, the bright shiny objects that drew attention away and prevent actually hearing it.
Just getting “something”, “anything” can overtake choosing a better “something”. Running from one difficult situation to another, rather than actually moving towards something that is affirming, avoids reality. And, the truth.
Add to that, the fear that accompanies the trying that could lead to the failing. The risk of alienating those you “know”, so you can hold those you do not, close and dear to your heart. Not knowing whether you can sustain the prolonged effort and the requisite commitment to see it all through.
And finally, deciding to move away from what you have done by rote for so long towards another calling that continues to resonate, despite your attempt to ignore it in every way, shape, or form. Ultimately, all of which are things that come down to choice.
Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
One’s intention or objective.
Those pervasive, reflective and lasting lessons learned on the LOS unknowingly provoked some long term discernment.
What was it that they were teaching, exactly?
How were they pertinent to life as it was ?
Where were they designed to lead?
How was the journey to be undertaken?
What was the reason for heeding this call?
And, when?
The nature of my experience was something that needed to be shared, reinforced and spread. The game was one thing. But all of those in the game – no matter the level – stood to benefit from learning those same lessons.
Developing a player could only proceed so far. Technique, drill work, strength, speed, scheme could only go so far. Same with game day.
But developing the person that resided within the player supported a plethora of opportunities, possibilities and ultimately, lives. The potential was limitless.
Should the player learn the lessons away from the field, so they could enjoin that curriculum all year round, imagine the performance for those 9 to 10 weeks come fall! Not to speak of it in life for the balance of that year and all those going forward.
Imagine the performance in the classroom, with their peers, in the community, within themselves by just sharing the initial insights provided me and others at the LOS!
Like accepting and engaging the weight of all responsibilities in all manner and form, arriving on their time, yet touching every aspect of your being.
Discovering the value of humility through promoting others.
Freely giving of oneself without any expectation or desire of return.
Knowing that there is much to be learned in defeat – no matter the venue – and that your response to that event will eventually lead you back to the outcome you desire; victory.
Mustering oneself to embrace personal sacrifice and persevere, regardless of the cost, to improve, grow and become what you are meant to be.
Providing empathy, care, attention and love that will ensure the safety, security and success of those all around.
Rick Warren once said that “Life on earth is a temporary assignment. Don’t forget there’s more than just this life”. How you handle the one here, prepares you for the one to follow.
Now that I understand, I am putting all I can into what I now understand to be my purpose.
...my temporary assignment. 