Treasure of One Month Later

Officially, I have wrapped up my first full month of sabbatical. Unofficially, this month progressed different that I thought it would. I say all this to remind myself that it really has been a whole month of dedicated to rest and focus on the important things in life.  Huh.  Who knew how fast this time would really go, and how busy my schedule would be when I am supposed to have nothing to do. 

Reflecting on this first month I have learned that life has some very real treasures. As if you didn’t know, gold is a great treasure.  It is rare, precious, and can be exchanged for virtually anything.  If you have a lot of it, you are considered rich (which some people spend their whole life pursuing).  Of course being rich has its perks, the primary of which is the ability to make choices: a choice to eat broth soup vs. a filet mignon. A choice to drive a clunky 1979 Ford Fairmont or 2014 Cadillac CTS. A choice to shop for clothes at salvation army, or at Ralph Lauren. If you are not rich, these choices are made for you: you simply get the soup to eat, Fairmont car to drive, and Salvation Army clothes to wear.  Ah, but the common thread between having choices and not having choices (rich and not rich) is that you are fed, have a car and are clothed, regardless of where you are at in life. At the conclusion of our lives on earth, it is this  “stuff” that will remain here while we take a step to meet our creator face to face. It is good to be reminded that none of this “stuff” journeys with us beyond our time on earth.

Focusing on stuff this passed week, I had the opportunity to visit someone who did not own treasure (gold, Cadillac’s, Ralph Lauren...and so forth).  He was poor, not very talented academically, did not marry, or have children. He didn’t have a home of his own, his sense of style was drab and he had a very long beard.  He loved to play the violin - but he wasn’t very good at it.  He died in 1957, so we didn’t really even “meet”.  His name was Bernard Casey and he was born into an Irish immigrant family in 1870 on a farm in Wisconsin. Bernard tried several different career paths from farmer, to clearing log-jams on rivers, and even working as a prison guard.  However, in 1897 his path led him to become invested into the Capuchin Franciscan order at St. Bonaventure in Detroit, MI. 

Bernard took on the new name of “Solanus”.  Father Solanus spent many years at the monastery in Detroit (as well as other cities) and he was known by peers, leadership and even the people as being humble and never grumbling.  Father Solanus was never very good in school or seminary, and as a result his priestly duties were quite limited. Usually, this meant he was a doorkeeper to greet folks, or did tasks like custodial work and gardening.  Father Solanus passed away in 1957 and was not really known for any great task. However, his humility and servitude (even in his final sufferings) was such that the whole world would come to know Christ.  This is what he was known for - and more than 21,000 documented people can attest to his reputation of humility, prayer and communal engagement.

During my visit to St. Bonaventure, which also holds Father Solanus’ tomb, I was able to slow down for some time and consider the treasures of patience and humility that he displayed. While meditating there, I was embraced with the idea to slow down in my praying: to digest each word and syllable - take each vowel of the Lord’s Prayer and give it the ability to saturate the speaker. Exercising this thought (slowing down my prayer life) seemed to make time stand still for me.  The sanctuary I knelt at stood silent, the blessed sacrament in front of me offered somber comfort.  The whole world I knew simply slowed down.  This was my treasure.  These words were really food. These moments in time were rare, precious even. 

After visiting St. Bonaventures and the Father Solanus Casey center, I can see how “treasure” can be defined by our interests or desires.  I’m learning that treasure could really be anything we want it to be.  So, how about this: Treasure is a thing that enables me to arrive at a unique place in life.  It can’t necessarily be bought or acquired.  It is something that may be found or given to me and can work as a tool, for which the result might be completely different to someone else. So, that “treasure” could be gold for one person, and the gift of being able to “slow down” for someone else.  However, exchanging “treasures” between these two people doesn’t necessarily have the same valued result. How about that?

If you haven’t ever heard of Father Solanus Casey, you can take the time to learn about him here: http://www.solanuscasey.org. If you are in the Detroit area (or are planning to be), let me know and we can go on a field trip together and see the monastery he is buried at - note you do not need to be catholic to do this.  :)