In his New England Patriot's Hall of Fame Induction speech, Tom Brady said that young people should play football for but one simple reason: it's hard. Those words resonate with my belief about service and the immersion program at Saint Ignatius College Prep.
I write this after spending a week at Jerusalem Farm in northeast Kansas City—one of ten immersion experiences offered to rising seniors through the Arrupe Center for Social Justice at SI. These service trips, often referred to as “urban plunges,” are a hallmark of many Catholic schools across the country and take place during fall, spring, or summer breaks. Each experience is rooted in our shared mission: to live out a faith that does justice.
I have taken students on many of these service endeavors—to El Salvador. East LA, Tijuana, Camden NJ, Chicago IL and Wheeling, WV. Each trip asks something of me and of young people. I have anxiety before the trip begins and am always relieved when it ends. No matter the location and type of service, I believe in the power (and the glory) of this program. I don't want to wax overly sentimental about what is a seven day venture, but I am a better teacher, colleague, and friend because of my participation in the program. Why? It's hard. And as immersion reveals to all of us, so is life. Brady reminded his audience of both. He said,
I get asked a lot if my kids play football. My response is that I’ll support them in any of their dreams. Whatever makes them happy makes me happy. I would encourage everyone to play football for the simple reason that it is hard.
It’s hard when you’re young to wake up in the offseason at 6 AM to go train and workout, knowing that all your friends are sleeping in and eating pancakes. It’s hard when you’re on your way to practice, weighed down with all your gear, and it’s 90 degrees out, and all the other kids are at the pool or at the beach, and your body is already completely exhausted from workouts and two-a-days. It’s hard to throw, catch, block, and tackle, and hit kids when they’re way bigger and way more developed than you, only to go home that night, bruised and battered and strained, but knowing you have to show up again the next day for just the chance to try again.
But understand this, Life is hard. No matter who you are, there are bumps and hits and bruises along the way. And my advice is to prepare yourself because football lessons teach us that success and achievement come from overcoming adversity, and that team accomplishment far exceeds anyone’s individual goals. To be successful at anything, the truth is you don’t have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren’t. Consistent, determined, and willing to work for it. No shortcuts.
One need not go on a service trip to get it. A young person does not need to give up one or two weeks of their summer to understand life is hard. Challenges abound. And yet, I would like to suggest the fierce commitment of the host cites, like Jerusalem Farm to: live simply, pray daily (many time), live in community and give of ourselves in service put each of us to the test.
As we were driving to the airport, one of the boys in my group confessed that after the second day, he wasn't sure if he could do it. Students give up their cell phones, they share a room with eight to ten other students, and eat vegetarian all week (unless meat is donated). Their schedule is not their own—rising early, beginning the day with prayer, and morning chores. They too were waking up at 6 AM—no sleeping in....pancakes are a long shot.
On the Farm, no matter who asks What time is it? the answer is the same. It's 10:10. JFarm asks folks to limit showers to every other day, while consider taking a bucket shower at that. The bulk of the day is given to manual labor and working beside others in the community. They aren't two-a-days but they are demanding.
My student's realization was not lost on me. Last year the temperatures were in the upper 90s with high humidity. We worked outside and whereas I used to pride myself on my work ethic and ability to do what the students did, I was forced to confront much more than my limitations. I didn't know if I could do it either. However, I participated in this same immersion last year. I knew what I getting into so I committed to taking and making it one day at a time. Still this senior's confession is important because in the midst of that doubt, he found a way. He worked hard. He did it and did it well. And he wasn't alone.
In our service work, we met with people who found support and stability from the community at a Catholic Worker House. Residents had been through rehab and found the "work" helped them maintain their sobriety. This venue has a soup kitchen, a "store" for free clothing and bathrooms. My students cleaned the showers and toilets that people found respite in using. We realized how easy it is to take a clean towel and a safe, private space for granted.
When a man in wheelchair came after hours asking for a cup of water, the leader said "let me check in on him." She hadn't seen him since he lost his foot, from the frost bite of the winter months. He admitted that he was struggling. We remembered him in prayer that evening.
The day that might have been the most physically demanding proved to be the most rewarding, too. After using both jack and sledge hammers, we tossed broken concrete into a dumpster, tore down siding, and eliminated a few wasp nests. Much more than our muscles were engaged in this effort. We learned that the refurbished house would be going to the man who was working beside us. He was a refugee from the Congo whose family fled to Tanzania before he moved to Kansas City. One of my students spoke to him in French. Whether it's the American dream or God's dream for this man and his family—to know and understand he would have his own home is incredible. My heart was full.
The great irony in all of this is that in spite of being hard, football and immersion yield something very precious—close friendships, pride and a sense of accomplishment. Not a bad way to spend a summer.
Photo Credits
none! All mine!
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