By Father Garrett Braun
From Fields Afar
With Christmas on final approach, I’m in the middle of squadron potluck season. While chaplains are often invited to offer a few encouraging words and bless the food, it’s also interesting to hear how squadron leadership addresses their troops. It’s a chance to get both the top-down perspective and also observe how that information is received from the bottom-up. That is, from a majority of the Airmen who are typically lower-ranking service members.
At a recent Security Forces (Air Force police) chili cook-off, I appreciated how their squadron commander addressed a perennial “elephant in the room” at mandatory military functions. After observing her now on multiple occasions, I’ve gotten a real sense that her Airmen respect more than just her rank — they respect her. Not always a given. Secondly, I might also add that you don’t become the Lieutenant Colonel squadron commander for Security Forces without being about as tough as nails. And finally, the “elephant in the room” she spoke to is how these events are regularly made fun of as being “mandatory fun.”
In a tone that both demanded respect while also conveyed her caring, she pointed out: “People make fun of these events as mandatory fun. And guess what — it is mandatory! But it’s also important. This is our community, and this is how we take care of each other. And once you get here, guess what – you do have fun, so get over it!” The nods of affirmation and nearly perceptible glow of invisible lightbulbs clicking on above the Airmen’s heads told me that her point was both understood and well-received.
In a similar way, there are many parts of the spiritual life we don’t look forward to but end up giving thanks for in the end. In this Advent season, we might especially think of the sacrament of Confession. Or, surrendering more of our busy lives to attend an extra daily Mass or to build the habit of a daily rosary. We may dread not sharing a piece of gossip or not “one-upping” someone else’s story, even though we know it’s not right. And yet, when we make responding to the Holy Spirit in our daily life “mandatory,” we really begin to grow. Eventually, these difficult disciplines become easier; they become part of us — and part of our prayer. And eventually, they just might even become fun!
Father Garrett Braun is currently on a temporary release to the Archdiocese for the Military Services to fulfill his five-year minimum commitment as an active duty chaplain in the United States Air Force. He will share monthly reflections through this column. He can be reached at gbraun@evdio.org.