November 2009
Vestry Retreats

Secrets of the Advent artichoke

One day before Christmas, my four-year-old grandson Danny was acting particularly obstreperous. His exasperated mother finally said, “Danny, settle down and behave or Santa’s going to bring you rocks and sticks.” Danny’s eyes lit up. “Goody! I like rocks and sticks!”

We laughed, but though he didn’t know it, my grandson was reminding us of the joy that exists in what is real. Members of vestries deal with what is real — the secular business of the parish — every day. But here’s something to remember for the season of Advent. This is a time of expectation, of preparation: a time of longing for the reality that is birthed in each of us as Christ within. So that we can say, as St. Paul said, “Not I, but the Christ in me.”

A common symbol of Advent is the wreath. But when I lead Advent retreats, I use a different symbol: the Advent Artichoke! To eat an artichoke you must pull off the outer leaves in order to reach the succulent delicious heart. We, too, need to pull off whatever may be keeping us from recognizing our deepest selves, for that is where we find Christ who lives in our hearts. For instance, superficial status symbols. The right label, the right car, the right neighborhood. Are we clinging to these?

Borrowed values
Most of us follow what we learned from parents, teachers, church pastors and the media. But is it time to take a second look? What if you’re ignoring something that may be different from what you learned but is God’s way of alerting you to a unique gift you haven’t yet used?

Unnecessary fear
Jesus said, “You cannot serve two masters.” He didn’t say, “You should not.” He said you cannot. It may be necessary for vestry members or church pastors to occasionally take a risk, to step out of your comfort zones now and then. Don’t let fear hold you back. Fear will push out love and prevent a quiet trust in the will of God.

Here are four of the words I offer at my retreats that can help us pull off outer leaves:

  • Watch. Jesus often encouraged his disciples to “watch.” This Advent, pay attention to your actions. Check out your motives. But do it non-judgmentally, simply as a way of gaining information about yourself. About what is really going on with you.
  • Accept. We live in a time of turbulent change. Parishes are struggling more for money. This Advent, practice accepting each day as a gift from God and vow to recognize all that happens in your life as part of God’s plan for you.
  • Choose. An “attitude of gratitude” will help us discover that ultimately all things intermingle for good when we place God at the center.
  • Pray. Those serving on vestries often say they wish they had more time to pray. See Grace on the Go: 101 Quick Ways to Pray.* (Morehouse) It offers ways to find prayer opportunities in the daily actions you’re already doing.

Practice shower power. As you take your daily shower, pray to be cleansed from any feelings of anger, resentment, bitterness or regret. Recall the words of Isaiah (58:11) “…You shall be like a watered garden, whose waters never fail.”

Make a driveway meditation. Before leaving on your morning commute, place your hands lightly on your car’s steering wheel and breathe deeply. Ask God to steer you through your day. Pump in the spirit. Need gas? As you fill your car, ask God to fill you with loving kindness toward everyone you meet that day.

As a final reminder, try serving artichokes at dinner. As you pull off the outer leaves, let this act remind you that Advent is a season for removing what doesn’t really count in our lives in order to discover the true Christ that lives within our hearts.

A member of St. Michael’s and All Angels in Mission, Kansas, Barbara Bartocci is an award-winning author of nine books, including the Grace on the Go series* from Morehouse (most recently: Grace on the Go: Powerful Prayers to Ease Money Worries.) She also speaks frequently to church groups. Learn more at www.BarbaraBartocci.com.

This article is part of the November 2009 Vestry Papers issue on Vestry Retreats