Rather than rely on my own cleverness, which is quite limited, I would like reflect on the gospel image of the vine and branches using a story of a famous artist, quotes from Fulton Sheen, Mark Twain, and a few other masters, and the habits of traveling geese. Let’s see where this goes!
One day, the great Michelangelo entered his studio. He examined the canvases of his students. Some he complimented. He advised a few to paint for fun rather than food lest they starve. Finally he came to his best apprentice. The man was working on a small canvas. Michelangelo took up a brush and across the picture he wrote the Latin word "amplius." It means "larger." The maestro felt his pupil was playing it safe. He wasn’t working to his full potential. He wanted him to start over again. The artist did and he painted something breathtaking.
There is a popular theory that we humans live our lives with large portions of our brains undeveloped or at least underutilized. This is also true of our souls. Spiritually, we are capable of being more convincing Christians than we are. What we lack is boldness. Had we a healthy dose of holy daring, we could become spiritual masterpieces. Jesus must often be tempted to write the word "amplius" over the lives of so many. We are good as far as we have gone. But we have not gone far enough. Our spiritual canvases are too small. We are capable of so much more in the spiritual life. The lives of our spirits need constant repainting. The Divine Teacher would tell us the larger canvases and brushes that we need are sitting right in front of us. They are ours for the taking. The problem with our world and the Church is not that God is failing to call enough people to be saints, it’s that too few people believe they are called to be saints. Saints make Jesus real. The same Christ who, in today's Gospel, says, "...every branch that does bear fruit I prune to make it bear even more." Our limited vision, says Christ, needs constant updating. But He does not tell us to grow fruit. Rather, He tells us eight times to abide, to rest, to stay close to Him. That's the secret.
A holy person said, 'Aim for the stars and you at least reach the mountain. But aim only for the mountain and you never get out of the mud." For many of us, our goals are too limited. Too often we attempt to go it alone in the spiritual life. This is not wise. Consider the habits of migrating geese. They fly in splendid formation. Ages ago they learned the hard way that they could fly more easily and for greater distances as a group. We would do much better at our faith if we acted in union with other believers. Some examples would be faith sharing, bible studies, reading of the spiritual masters, retreats, days of recollection, etc. A second trick that the clever geese have to teach us is about leadership. When the leader of their signature "V" formation gets tired from fighting the strong headwinds, it drops back for a breather. Immediately, another goose comes forward to lead the pack. How much more effective our parish and we as Catholics would be if everyone carried his or her share of the burdens. As the geese would be the first to tell us, the lazy "Let someone else do it!" is not good enough.
There are some of you here in church who have great contributions in leadership and talent to offer the Lord. You must come forward and take risks. Christ needs you and wants you. So do we!
There is one last habit of geese to learn from. They encourage and support each other. When they fly in their formations, they honk like crazy. Even more so if they are flying through storms. The honking keeps the group in tight formation and serves as a beacon for strays. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for Incarnate Word to be known as the parish that supports and encourages one another, especially those who have drifted away from God?! Mark Twain reminds us that encouragement is oxygen for the soul. He said he could live for a month on one good compliment. It’s amazing how a kind word or sincere affirmation can pick up the spirits of others. We need one another's help. The Christian life isn't hard to live: it's impossible! Only one person has pulled it off on their own: Jesus. But He has sent the Holy Spirit and given us the Catholic Church to help us. In these 50 days of Easter, we read many stories of the first Christians which reminds us the Holy Spirit can make a great finish out of a rough start. Some misguided people say, "I'd be a hypocrite if I started going to church again." To them Fulton Sheen said, "Come back. There's always room for one more."
So where do we go from here? Dream big! Becoming a holy leader, becoming a saint is not for someone else or a select few, it is for each us! In your prayer this week, give God permission to use your life, your personality, your talents, and gifts to bear good and holy fruit. Believe that He wants to use you, not only for your own benefit, but also for the building up and encouraging of others. You don’t have to have all the answers; let go of the desire for complete control. He is the vine, we are simply the branches. Remain in Him through daily prayer, charitable works, and kind words and be open to the daring plan God might have for you. Then see where He takes you and how He will amplify your life and this parish!
