At What Cost: A Reflection for 10/28/20

Seven months, 33 weeks, 229 days, 5,486 hours, 329,218 minutes, 19,753,096+ seconds…..That’s how long has been since March 13^th, 2020.  Take that into consideration for just a few more additional seconds as the clock continues to tick.  While you are doing that, take into consideration any other year in your life where you can almost number the days spanning over a 7 month period where so much has changed yet nothing really has changed at all.  I am not sure that I can. 

Over the past seven months I have sat in too many meetings to count; I have slept too little hours to care and I have watched many who I care about go through multiple emotional roller coasters to last two lifetimes.  We have watched everything that we accepted as normal and took for granted for so long be pulled from us.  Our schools, our churches, our sports, our jobs, our safety and security, and our peace all removed without any clear end in sight.  We have been told to be brave while still considering our own fear and uncertainty.  Many of us have been asked to plan without direction.  We have done these things, “soldiered on” through the turmoil and uncertainty which is our world at all levels and we have done so because any alternative seems yet even more difficult to comprehend than our current reality does.  I was told merely what seems like eternal three months ago to “just keep showing up”.  It’s not that I disagree, but at what cost.  What is going to be left when it’s all said and done? 

I don’t say these things to add to any negativity.  I don’t bring up these issues to suggest the idea that all is lost no more than I would suggest that the end is in sight.  I say this because it’s true and sometimes the truth sucks.  The statistics I have become more concerned about these days are the ones that aren’t being reported on a seemingly hourly basis.  I’m worried about our children, my children.  I’m worried about our leaders and the decisions, more so the motivation behind, the decisions they are making.  I’m worried about our schools and churches.  I’m worried about our economy.  I’m worried about our mental health.  I, like many of you, worry about the same things but most of all, I worry about what our lives are going to look like when it is all over.  Concern without answer/direction equals fear; and when we have no answers, no explanation what left do we have to do but pray. 

Today’s Gospel follows Jesus, yet again, as He quietly slips off to talk with His Father.  My grandfather once told me that God will never give you more than you can handle however, there will often be times that you wish He didn’t think you can handle so much.  I would suggest that the unprecedented events covering the past 7 months would certainly qualify.  I have always been a man of prayer, but never so much as I have been through all this.  I find myself praying, at times out loud, seemingly throughout the day; in the cafeteria, on a morning run, in the car at the dinner table..  If nothing else, I have found myself living the behavior Jesus modeled for us during His documented alone times with His Father.  Perhaps that is the cost.  The exchange for the past 7 months of uncertainty is the Peace I receive from my alone times with my Heavenly Father.  If in fact this is true, it is a cost I am willing to continue to pay.

“Thank you God for our blessings in the midst of our trials.”

Jason C. Swann – Principal

 

Reflection 10/9/20:

Welcome back from a long weekend.  I hope that everyone enjoyed the extra time (I’m sure our students did) and beauty that was afforded to us over the course of the last few days.  Congratulations to our 3^rd graders, and their families, who received the Sacrament of First Communion last weekend.  Driving home from mass Sunday, I couldn’t help but play the parable of the landowner who planted a vineyard over in my head.  How obvious this mindset is in our society today and more so, how overlooked it is as well.  At some point, we need to ask ourselves what is truly earned, what is leased and what can actually be taken away?

The Gospel reading from Matthew yesterday told the story of the landowner who planted a vineyard, fenced it, dug winepresses and leased the land to tenants before he went abroad.  When it was vintage time, he sent servants to the tenants to collect his produce but the tenants seized and killed them.  The landowner again sent more servants to collect and the tenants did the same to them.  Finally, the land owner sent his son thinking that they will respect him, but the tenants seized and killed him as well.  When Jesus asked what the owner of the vineyard would do to the tenants, the people answered “he will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce.”  Seems easy enough to understand as I’m sure all of us would have the same response as this is the only logical thing…however, logic is not a large commodity these days now is it?  Jesus answers them saying “I tell you, then, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”  Jesus saying a couple things here; first, the parable represents the Son of God following up on the message that many before have attempted to tell the people and yet, still receiving the same end as those who came before Him.  Secondly, He is reminding us (the tenants) that the vineyard is NOT ours to possess, only to dwell in.  This is, I believe, the more relevant lesson today. 

The vineyard is not ours.  God has built this beautiful vineyard and provided it with the best winepresses and leased it to us as tenants.  We know this and I’m sure if you ask anyone, they would agree.  Likewise, we know He is going to return to collect the vintage.  So my question is this, why do we still act like we are the owners in this life and not tenants?  Why did the tenants act like they owned the vineyard when they knew well and good that they didn’t?  Why do we so often ignore authority and consequences?  Well, simply because it’s not what we want.  If we are honest, we can find this mindset throughout our society today in all areas and in all ages.  “I don’t want to listen to that so, I’m not going to.”  “This is what I want so I’m going to take it.”  “This is how I want to do it so I’m just not going to listen to what I’m supposed to do or what may happen if I don’t.”  And I’m sure, one day, there are going to be several tenants standing at the gates of heaven saying “but it was MY vineyard, he let us work it so we should be allowed in.” 

I have been thinking of this all week as I observe the actions of the society around me.  This year has been beyond challenging and unfortunately, those challenges have not translated into empathy, compassion and love.  As a matter of fact, it has brought out the exact opposite in the overwhelming majority of people.  I think it’s time for us to ask ourselves, is what we have - our purpose and reason for receiving the gift of life, really because of us, or, is it because of the Landowner?  Maybe then we can act accordingly.  

Mr. Swann - Principal