Renovaré Discussion Forums

When I was reading Streams of Living Water, and its last chapter (the Incarnational Tradition,) I was immediately reminded of my great-grandfather, Maximillian Lipinski (1908-2008.) He was a Polish immigrant who grew up in Flint. He got a job at one of the new car manufacturers (either Ford or GM, I can't recall.) He was a Roman Catholic, attending mass every week, and very fervent in his prayers. (In this part of his life, he also fits fairly well within the Contemplative tradition; but that's not what we're speaking of currently.) One thing that he loved was work. He would punch in everyday at the car plant, and joyfully run his station. When he finally retired (at 75!) he continued working on his garden (a place where he would often escape and reside in communion with God) and happily weed, water, plant, etc. Even two weeks before his kidney failure, the hundred-year-old, 5'6'' man was mowing the lawn!

According to the priest who gave his eulogy, one day he was asked why he loved to work. He answered this: "When I was a child, I learned about St. Francis. He lived a life of extreme dedication. I remember he once said, 'Preach the Gospel always, and, if necessary, use words.' I think he meant that you don't have to live your life in a cell* or at an altar to make a difference in someone's life. You can show them the life you have by the life you live." (I paraphrased it since the funeral was two years ago and I can't find a text for the eulogy, but that's the gist of what was said.)

I think Grandpa Max sums up one of the crucial parts of the Incarnational tradition for me. He lived out Paul's words to 'Slaves': "Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 NRSV)

I don't know, that was something that stuck out for me in that chapter.

Slave of Jesus Christ,

-Anthony Fisher

* cell, that is where a monk lives, not a jail.

When I was reading Streams of Living Water, and its last chapter (the Incarnational Tradition,) I was immediately reminded of my great-grandfather, Maximillian Lipinski (1908-2008.) He was a Polish immigrant who grew up in Flint. He got a job at one of the new car manufacturers (either Ford or GM, I can't recall.) He was a Roman Catholic, attending mass every week, and very fervent in his prayers. (In this part of his life, he also fits fairly well within the Contemplative tradition; but that's not what we're speaking of currently.) One thing that he loved was work. He would punch in everyday at the car plant, and joyfully run his station. When he finally retired (at 75!) he continued working on his garden (a place where he would often escape and reside in communion with God) and happily weed, water, plant, etc. Even two weeks before his kidney failure, the hundred-year-old, 5'6'' man was mowing the lawn!

According to the priest who gave his eulogy, one day he was asked why he loved to work. He answered this: "When I was a child, I learned about St. Francis. He lived a life of extreme dedication. I remember he once said, 'Preach the Gospel always, and, if necessary, use words.' I think he meant that you don't have to live your life in a cell* or at an altar to make a difference in someone's life. You can show them the life you have by the life you live." (I paraphrased it since the funeral was two years ago and I can't find a text for the eulogy, but that's the gist of what was said.)

I think Grandpa Max sums up one of the crucial parts of the Incarnational tradition for me. He lived out Paul's words to 'Slaves': "Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 NRSV)

I don't know, that was something that stuck out for me in that chapter.

Slave of Jesus Christ,

-Anthony Fisher

* cell, that is where a monk lives, not a jail.