Three summers ago I landed in Costa Rica to begin a seven-week study abroad course focused around Spanish language and Central American culture. For me the most intense part of a study abroad experience is the moment of meeting the host family. The family defines a crucial (and for the student, unchangeable) aspect of the environment; they remain a mere assortment of facts on paper until they suddenly spring to life in an airport terminal in a foreign country.
After waiting just outside the San José airport for what felt like hours, I spotted an eager couple holding a piece of paper with my name scribbled in unmistakably large letters. From the moment I met my host parents Gema and Edwin, I counted all my apprehensions as silly. They would become my enthusiastic guides to an incomprehensibly gorgeous country and to a language whose subtleties I was only just beginning to understand. As I would discover, their zeal permeated their faith and their community as well.
Having arrived in the middle of May, I was fortunate to catch the latter half of an unforgettable Costa Rican phenomenon. May is the month of Mary, often celebrated in the U.S. with May Crowning ceremonies in which we adorn Mary’s head with a wreath of flowers. In my particular Costa Rican neighborhood of San Lorenzo, they took May to the next step. The members of the community banded together to decorate a small float with a statue of Mary as the centerpiece. Every evening the float would move to a new family’s house, where the community would gather after dinner. Then anyone could volunteer to help lead the group in a recitation of the rosary. (I found that praying the rosary aloud in Costa Rica differed dramatically, and often humorously, from my own previous experience; rather than rely on a set rhythm of recitation as we do in the U.S. to ensure that everyone stays together, people in my Costa Rican community simply prayed the prayers at their own pace, creating a wondrous cacophony of praise.) Once the prayer finished and we sang a few hymns together the hosting family presented refreshments and everyone spent some time chatting with neighbors and meeting new friends.
What a fantastic tradition! This nightly rosary procession represented to me the embodiment and interconnectedness of the cornerstones. Prayer, of course, was the reason we gathered, but we also celebrated community in gathering together and spending time in conversation, simplicity in being fully present to each other and sharing our talents, and service in offering hospitality. With May nearly upon us, let us take time to reflect on how Mary’s simple desire to do God’s will changed the course of human history. Perhaps we can take some time to pray a rosary and gather our community and friends. I truly believe that all the cornerstones are intertwined, but without prayer as a foundation none of them can be sustained.
-by Adam Austin
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Prayer: The Reminder and Celebration of Earth Day
I'm a bit behind this week, but I thought we could spend some time reflecting on Earth Day which is this Wednesday - April 22nd.
The first thought that came to mind when I thought of Earth Day was the fact that this year there is a great movement in the White House to End Mountain Top Removal (a problem that is very prevalent all over Appalachia including southern West Virgina). This movement also brings to light the need for greater care for our natural resources in the Appalachian region. Check out these links on The Alliance for Appalachia's website for some more information about that:
The first thought that came to mind when I thought of Earth Day was the fact that this year there is a great movement in the White House to End Mountain Top Removal (a problem that is very prevalent all over Appalachia including southern West Virgina). This movement also brings to light the need for greater care for our natural resources in the Appalachian region. Check out these links on The Alliance for Appalachia's website for some more information about that:
Janet Schaeffer provides a nice reflection on the connection between Earth Day and our Catholic faith. She also points out the fact that Earth Day should be a reminder of how we should act in our everyday lives, that "Earth Day" extends to every other day of the year. Having our own faith in mind, as well as this celebration of Earth Day - lets take some time this week to think about how we use our resources and how we could be more mindful of the resources we use, the things we take for granted, and the things that we are waste. How does, or should, our own faithfulness and our own prayer lives affect the way we interact with the gift of our own environment?
Check out Janet's reflection at: http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/Archives+177/Faith+Formation+04-04-23.htm
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Simplicity: Focusing on the Sun, Celebrate Easter!
Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!
To begin our Easter season the staff hiked to the top of our hill very early this morning to watch the sunrise. I couldn't help but compare the sun and its production to Jesus' rising from the dead on this day. I'll assume that we've all heard many comparisons with sunrises and sunsets to our faith lives, especially since they are a great place to find God (I realize assuming is a risky thing to do). But this morning I was struck by some symbolism I hadn't quite thought of. As I watched the sun come over the mountain I couldn't help but stare at it, just like you do when you're a kid and then you can't see for a few minutes while your eyes adjust. I realize this probably wasn't the smartest decision for the health of my eyes, but I couldn't quite help myself. While focusing in on the sun, its brightness overcame everything around it and I could hardly see anything else besides that vast array of light. I found myself using trees to shade myself for a few second, but I almost felt guilty for doing so because I didn't want anything to come between myself and Jesus. And somehow, I found this as a simple way to focus my thoughts and my energy on Jesus' resurrection. In the stations of the cross we find Jesus stripped of all his garments and his dignity. Even when he is buried he is only provided with a linen cloth in a small, simple tomb. Amidst this simplicity he was able to focus on what was really important - the will of God.
This Easter season let us focus ourselves on what is really important, the Son of God, Chris out Savior and the light and warmth that He provides for us in our days. Let us pray that all that comes between God and ourselves may be pushed aside, so that we may rejoice in the loving grace of God. When Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph approach the tomb of Jesus they begin to wonder how they will move the stone which comes between Jesus and themselves... how will they remove this blockade? However, when they arrive at the tomb they find that the power of God has removed this blockade so that they may seek Christ in the world around them. Let us reflect on how Christ has freed us from sin and how we may simplify our lives to be focused on God's presence around us.
Rejoice in the Lord and His loving sacrifice and majesty!
To begin our Easter season the staff hiked to the top of our hill very early this morning to watch the sunrise. I couldn't help but compare the sun and its production to Jesus' rising from the dead on this day. I'll assume that we've all heard many comparisons with sunrises and sunsets to our faith lives, especially since they are a great place to find God (I realize assuming is a risky thing to do). But this morning I was struck by some symbolism I hadn't quite thought of. As I watched the sun come over the mountain I couldn't help but stare at it, just like you do when you're a kid and then you can't see for a few minutes while your eyes adjust. I realize this probably wasn't the smartest decision for the health of my eyes, but I couldn't quite help myself. While focusing in on the sun, its brightness overcame everything around it and I could hardly see anything else besides that vast array of light. I found myself using trees to shade myself for a few second, but I almost felt guilty for doing so because I didn't want anything to come between myself and Jesus. And somehow, I found this as a simple way to focus my thoughts and my energy on Jesus' resurrection. In the stations of the cross we find Jesus stripped of all his garments and his dignity. Even when he is buried he is only provided with a linen cloth in a small, simple tomb. Amidst this simplicity he was able to focus on what was really important - the will of God.
This Easter season let us focus ourselves on what is really important, the Son of God, Chris out Savior and the light and warmth that He provides for us in our days. Let us pray that all that comes between God and ourselves may be pushed aside, so that we may rejoice in the loving grace of God. When Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph approach the tomb of Jesus they begin to wonder how they will move the stone which comes between Jesus and themselves... how will they remove this blockade? However, when they arrive at the tomb they find that the power of God has removed this blockade so that they may seek Christ in the world around them. Let us reflect on how Christ has freed us from sin and how we may simplify our lives to be focused on God's presence around us.
Rejoice in the Lord and His loving sacrifice and majesty!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Community: Violence in Media
(I've edited this one twice for accuracy of my opinion... feel free to post your comments whether you agree or not, I'm playing a bit of the devil's advocate here.)
It was a while ago that I finished reading Fr. John Dear, S.J.'s book "A Persistent Peace." John Dear reflects on his own life and his quest for nonviolence, including his own commitment to live fight for human rights while also supporting nonviolent acts. This theme of nonviolence caused me to reflect on a lot of themes that are prevalent in movies these days.
Since I've been on staff we've watched quite a few movies, including two trips to our local (and cheap) theater. The first of those was to see "The International." In this recent film violence is a dominant theme as good attempts to prevail over evil using violent acts, but does not since violence is not the answer. It serves as a positive example of the need for peaceful resolutions instead of violent actions, but a large part of me is also troubled by how widely accepted violence is in today's media.
When I see films like "The International" I can't help but think of what things my own children will someday watch. I struggle with the fact that many TV shows and movies these days demonstrate violence as an acceptable form of expression, therefore teaching children that it is suitable to use force to fulfill their desires. It is this sense of expression, this over-tolerated violence, that causes our communities and world to be so dismantled. If we are continually seeking to be better than the next person without allowing ourselves to understand one another, the we are not only crushing the common good and any sense of community, we are allowing something to become the norm that in no way should be so heavily tolerated.
Jesus' death on the cross was truly done in a humiliating and violent fashion, but never did he resort to violent retaliation. And in the end, good prevailed - Jesus rose from the dead and brought us the gift of everlasting life, he never even flinched to use violence. Taking time this week to reflect on the closing of Lent and the Passion of the Lord, ask ourselves in what ways we encourage this culture of violence. This can go far beyond physical force, but even when we degrade others and fail to recognize their human dignity. How can we change our lives to seek peace and to do so in ways that are peaceful? How can we better build community and seek to rebuild communities torn apart by violence? I know I won't be watching any violent films for quite a while... or I'll at least be aware of how they portray violence.
It was a while ago that I finished reading Fr. John Dear, S.J.'s book "A Persistent Peace." John Dear reflects on his own life and his quest for nonviolence, including his own commitment to live fight for human rights while also supporting nonviolent acts. This theme of nonviolence caused me to reflect on a lot of themes that are prevalent in movies these days.
Since I've been on staff we've watched quite a few movies, including two trips to our local (and cheap) theater. The first of those was to see "The International." In this recent film violence is a dominant theme as good attempts to prevail over evil using violent acts, but does not since violence is not the answer. It serves as a positive example of the need for peaceful resolutions instead of violent actions, but a large part of me is also troubled by how widely accepted violence is in today's media.
When I see films like "The International" I can't help but think of what things my own children will someday watch. I struggle with the fact that many TV shows and movies these days demonstrate violence as an acceptable form of expression, therefore teaching children that it is suitable to use force to fulfill their desires. It is this sense of expression, this over-tolerated violence, that causes our communities and world to be so dismantled. If we are continually seeking to be better than the next person without allowing ourselves to understand one another, the we are not only crushing the common good and any sense of community, we are allowing something to become the norm that in no way should be so heavily tolerated.
Jesus' death on the cross was truly done in a humiliating and violent fashion, but never did he resort to violent retaliation. And in the end, good prevailed - Jesus rose from the dead and brought us the gift of everlasting life, he never even flinched to use violence. Taking time this week to reflect on the closing of Lent and the Passion of the Lord, ask ourselves in what ways we encourage this culture of violence. This can go far beyond physical force, but even when we degrade others and fail to recognize their human dignity. How can we change our lives to seek peace and to do so in ways that are peaceful? How can we better build community and seek to rebuild communities torn apart by violence? I know I won't be watching any violent films for quite a while... or I'll at least be aware of how they portray violence.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Prayer: Giving of Ourselves
Today's Gospel reading uses the parable of the grain of wheat to encourage us to give of ourselves to those around us. It challenges us to ask ourselves difficult questions - what I can do to build community with my neighbor? how can I offer some form of service to those closest (and farthest from) to me?
These are great questions to ask. But I'd like to give a "spin" on this emphasis to "give of ourselves."
The end of this past week the staff took a break to go on retreat at Jeffer's Tree Farm near Athens, OH. Every spring we take some sort of retreat to rejuvenate ourselves before the approaching craziness of the summer season. A large reality that came out of this retreat was the fact that I, as well as others in our community, can be more disciplined and dedicated to our own needs, especially that of prayer. Tending to these needs also allows us to better tend to the needs of those around us - therefore engaging in service and fostering community. Ironic how if we are more in tune with ourselves then we can be more in tune with our surroundings, right? So what if we take this theme of giving of ourselves and give ourselves to God in prayer? In what ways can we be more dedicated to our personal needs? How can that help us to then give of ourselves to others?
It is my natural tendency to want to surround myself with people. So during group weeks the only things that can hold me back from spending time with volunteers are my own responsibilities and my lack of sleep. When volunteers aren't here I am easily engaged by the staff community. While these are two great things that I want to continue to seek in my life, they also cause me to lose sight of my own need for personal time. I spend all my time working, hanging out with others, and wondering why my prayer life and other relationships feel a bit off. In the end all I really need is some discipline to be aware of my own needs and to do my best to take that time to rejuvenate myself, or else I become too worn out and am not the person I want to be.
Spend some time in prayer this week reflecting on that and the Farm's theme of "right relationships." Before the sacredness of Holy Week comes upon us, take some time to reflect on how you might be in a better relationship with yourself and with God.
These are great questions to ask. But I'd like to give a "spin" on this emphasis to "give of ourselves."
The end of this past week the staff took a break to go on retreat at Jeffer's Tree Farm near Athens, OH. Every spring we take some sort of retreat to rejuvenate ourselves before the approaching craziness of the summer season. A large reality that came out of this retreat was the fact that I, as well as others in our community, can be more disciplined and dedicated to our own needs, especially that of prayer. Tending to these needs also allows us to better tend to the needs of those around us - therefore engaging in service and fostering community. Ironic how if we are more in tune with ourselves then we can be more in tune with our surroundings, right? So what if we take this theme of giving of ourselves and give ourselves to God in prayer? In what ways can we be more dedicated to our personal needs? How can that help us to then give of ourselves to others?
It is my natural tendency to want to surround myself with people. So during group weeks the only things that can hold me back from spending time with volunteers are my own responsibilities and my lack of sleep. When volunteers aren't here I am easily engaged by the staff community. While these are two great things that I want to continue to seek in my life, they also cause me to lose sight of my own need for personal time. I spend all my time working, hanging out with others, and wondering why my prayer life and other relationships feel a bit off. In the end all I really need is some discipline to be aware of my own needs and to do my best to take that time to rejuvenate myself, or else I become too worn out and am not the person I want to be.
Spend some time in prayer this week reflecting on that and the Farm's theme of "right relationships." Before the sacredness of Holy Week comes upon us, take some time to reflect on how you might be in a better relationship with yourself and with God.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Service: Looking for the Little Things
Spring is a wonderful season for reasons beyond the change in weather and signs of growth. March brings us College Basketball's "March Madness" and is closely followed by April's start to the baseball season. I always love these two events every year, however this time around our lack of television reception and any radio station that could pick up any sporting event leaves me a bit saddened and troubled. Clearly this is something that simplicity and community call me to overcome (and maybe it sounds like they're larger impacts than they should be), but I'd like to use this factor to reflect on service a bit.
Since I long to watch as much NCAA basketball as I can at this point of the season, I called up our community friend Betty Nicholson. Betty loves watching sports and loves having people over, and is probably my favorite community friend (yes, I have a favorite) so there were many advantages to joining her for some of the opening games of the tournament. When she asked me to take her to K-Mart to pick up her prescriptions for her eye medicine I was more than willing to say yes, although a small voice in the back of my head was wishing I didn't have to use so much gas (K-Mart is at least a 30 minute drive). But I did my best to ignore that fact and help Betty out since she does everything she can to help out the Farm and is such a positive friend for all of us. I was astounded at how grateful Betty was by this simple act, that I took my own time to help her out. She has been talking about how I offered my help for two days now, making me well aware how appreciative she is of my offering. To top things off, as we were watching basketball that Friday evening, when she went to put her eye drops in she had run out and needed to open the prescription we had picked up that day. Had I not been available (or willing) to help her out she would not have had her medicine for at least the night.
Looking back on that I felt largely affirmed by Betty that my willingness to help her out was in fact a small act of service. At the Farm we always encourage those forms of service along side our more tangible service of home repair. We emphasize the acts taken on home crew - cooking, cleaning, and welcoming friends home as a form of service. We stress the fact that we are building relationships with people and that just sitting with someone can also be a form of service. So what are some of the ways that you can serve others in these small ways? What holds you back from helping others in these ways?
I hope that in my life I can continue to do these small acts of service (or small acts of kindness) and that I can even get to the point where I don't have that nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me of the negative sides to those acts. Make sure to give of yourself today and this week...
Since I long to watch as much NCAA basketball as I can at this point of the season, I called up our community friend Betty Nicholson. Betty loves watching sports and loves having people over, and is probably my favorite community friend (yes, I have a favorite) so there were many advantages to joining her for some of the opening games of the tournament. When she asked me to take her to K-Mart to pick up her prescriptions for her eye medicine I was more than willing to say yes, although a small voice in the back of my head was wishing I didn't have to use so much gas (K-Mart is at least a 30 minute drive). But I did my best to ignore that fact and help Betty out since she does everything she can to help out the Farm and is such a positive friend for all of us. I was astounded at how grateful Betty was by this simple act, that I took my own time to help her out. She has been talking about how I offered my help for two days now, making me well aware how appreciative she is of my offering. To top things off, as we were watching basketball that Friday evening, when she went to put her eye drops in she had run out and needed to open the prescription we had picked up that day. Had I not been available (or willing) to help her out she would not have had her medicine for at least the night.
Looking back on that I felt largely affirmed by Betty that my willingness to help her out was in fact a small act of service. At the Farm we always encourage those forms of service along side our more tangible service of home repair. We emphasize the acts taken on home crew - cooking, cleaning, and welcoming friends home as a form of service. We stress the fact that we are building relationships with people and that just sitting with someone can also be a form of service. So what are some of the ways that you can serve others in these small ways? What holds you back from helping others in these ways?
I hope that in my life I can continue to do these small acts of service (or small acts of kindness) and that I can even get to the point where I don't have that nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me of the negative sides to those acts. Make sure to give of yourself today and this week...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Community: The Benefit of Locality
One of the many great attributes to our college group weeks is that volunteers are from many places that not only span the entire United States but the entire world. It always intrigues me what life is like in other parts of the country and other parts of the world, so I try to hold back all assumptions about people and where they're from while still inquiring about what life is like for them in those areas.
This previous week I was touched when talking with a volunteer who had spent time living in Ethiopia, Russia and Germany (as well as the United States). Of course I asked the typical questions, why the move? how long did you live in each place? etc. But I was more touched when I commented that it was cool that this particular volunteer had the opportunity to see the world in so many ways and so many places. I think it is extremely beneficial to spend a week or two on an immersion in a foreign place (domestic or abroad), and so I assume that having the opportunity to live in different countries for a prolonged period of time would be even more beneficial. That benefit wasn't negative, but when I made the comment that having that experience was great the response was that it is beneficial but very challenging because of the difficulty to form really great friends. I quickly realized that I am extremely lucky to have grown up in Cincinnati my entire life, to have grown up with the same people and to have people that I could call best friends. It became quite evident that while living in different places gives us great experience for life, it also inhibits our ability to form those very strong friendships and to build that sense of community in our lives.
Today's scripture readings call us to focus our lives on what is really important. Clearly Lent is a beneficial time to do such a thing. I thought those themes can be clearly connected to this theme of friendship and community. Take some time this week to reflect on the things that you hold dear in your life. Should those things be as high of a priority as they are? Are there other things that should be a higher priority instead? Make a list of these things if you can/ have to. I would hope that your closest friends are on the higher end of that list. Give thanks for the blessing of those friendships and work to continue to build that sense of community this Lent.
This previous week I was touched when talking with a volunteer who had spent time living in Ethiopia, Russia and Germany (as well as the United States). Of course I asked the typical questions, why the move? how long did you live in each place? etc. But I was more touched when I commented that it was cool that this particular volunteer had the opportunity to see the world in so many ways and so many places. I think it is extremely beneficial to spend a week or two on an immersion in a foreign place (domestic or abroad), and so I assume that having the opportunity to live in different countries for a prolonged period of time would be even more beneficial. That benefit wasn't negative, but when I made the comment that having that experience was great the response was that it is beneficial but very challenging because of the difficulty to form really great friends. I quickly realized that I am extremely lucky to have grown up in Cincinnati my entire life, to have grown up with the same people and to have people that I could call best friends. It became quite evident that while living in different places gives us great experience for life, it also inhibits our ability to form those very strong friendships and to build that sense of community in our lives.
Today's scripture readings call us to focus our lives on what is really important. Clearly Lent is a beneficial time to do such a thing. I thought those themes can be clearly connected to this theme of friendship and community. Take some time this week to reflect on the things that you hold dear in your life. Should those things be as high of a priority as they are? Are there other things that should be a higher priority instead? Make a list of these things if you can/ have to. I would hope that your closest friends are on the higher end of that list. Give thanks for the blessing of those friendships and work to continue to build that sense of community this Lent.
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