Once I was reading an article on architects. (I enjoy reading articles on things I know little or nothing about!) In it, the author was trying to discover what distiguished the really good architects from the medicore ones. Her conclusion? It was not the fact that good architects did things right the first time. No, it was “their willingness to revise, rework, redo.”
Isn’t this what determines excellence in almost every field, whether it’s cooking, writing, painting, leadership, gardening, music, or athletics? Take football. How many hours does a really good quarterback practice throwing passes or handing off the football? Excellent quarterbacks are willing to change their stance, revise their footwork, adjust their throwing, tweak their timing, submit to a new game plan–all in an attempt to become better at what they do.
Michelangelo, as far as I know, never excelled as a quarterback. But he did excel as an artist. He said to someone who envied his work, “If you knew how hard I worked at this, you might not think it was so wonderful.” Similarly, a woman once said to the great violinist Fritz Kreisler, “I’d give my life to play as beautifully as you!” Kreisler replied, “Madam, I have!”
As Christians, we are all called to excel in the spiritual life. We can even say, we are called to be good architects–architects of ourselves. St. Paul posed this question for the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16) We are all fashioning ourselves (with God’s grace, of course!) into a temple from the materials life bestows upon us. What materials? Our talents, limitations, background, relationships, good luck, bad luck, education, health, age, life experiences, etc. How hard are we willing to work at this fashioning? Are we totally content with ourselves and with the way things are? Do we say to ourselves, “This is me… I’ve always been this way… I’m too old, too tired… The demands of the Christian faith are just too hard for me.” Have we turned a legitimate rest along the road of life into a permanent stop? Or are we still engaged in the journey of life? Are we still listening to God’s call to revise, rework, and redo ourselves?
Jesus encourages revisions. In fact, he continuously calls us to conversion. His call is nothing less than the call to revise our behavior… to rework our attitude… to redo our priorities. He calls us to expand our heart… to continue to learn… to serve others… to forgive… to let go… and to find creative ways to contribute our small share of “goodness” to promote the common good. In the spiritual life, as in most worthwhile endeavors, it is never too late to make a few changes. It is never too late to strive for greater excellence.
Prayer: Jesus, give me the patience, the wisdom, and the strength to follow your call to conversion today.
For reflection:
Is there anything in your life right now that Jesus might be calling you to revise, rework, or redo?
For you personally what are some of the things that get in the way of heeding Jesus’ call to conversion?
Give yourself credit for some of the “revisions” you have made throughout your life to become a better person, a better Christian. Can you name a few?
The temple we are becoming may not look like St. Peter’s basilica. It may look more like this precious little house… (Photo by Kdibrik – Pixabay)
Sometimes it’s easier to see Jesus’ call to extraordinary individuals rather than to more ordinary individuals like ourselves. So today I chose a short video that shows that day, May 8, 2025, when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago, was elected the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Talk about a dramatic call from Jesus! I was struck by the somewhat “ordinary-looking” human being who stepped out onto the balcony that day. Understandably, he was emotional as tens of thousands of people–at the first sight of that white smoke–managed to get themselves to St. Peter’s Square to see and cheer for our new Pope. At one point, Pope Leo even seems to sniffle a little. In the background you will hear some contemporary chant saying: “Jesus, you call me by name… May I hear your voice… You love me, Jesus… Thank you Jesus.” You will see the new Pope’s motto: “In Illo, Uno Unum,” the words of St. Augustine, “In the One, we are one.” His coat of arms includes the crossed keys of St. Peter, the lily against a background of blue (a tribute to Mary), a heart pierced by an arrow, the emblem of his Order the Augustinians, and the book representing the Word of God.
May the words of the chant become our own: “Jesus, you call me by name… May I hear your voice… You love me Jesus… Thank you, Jesus.”
(Disclaimer: I am recommending only the video below on Pope Leo’s election day. I am not recommending any of the other videos that pop up automatically after this one. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Do you remember where you were when you heard we had a new Pope–and he was an American? What were some of your thoughts and feelings?
If you had a coat of arms, what would you put on it?
I welcome your comments on the reflection, the pictures, the video. Thank you!
17 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Your blog always call us to deeper introspection, and that’s a beautiful thing! As a Benedictine Oblate, I am called to a lifetime of daily conversion, for our God is a living God, always flowing like a river, and so each day, in some way, I try to plant my soul on the banks of God’s mercy and love, not always successfully, I might add. But try I must, we all must. Otherwise we may lose the green of our leaves, our spiritual sap will run dry. Do I have a spiritual motto? Words that keep me grounded? Yes. “O Lord, you are my portion and my cup, and I will walk with you in this land of the living.” Amen.
John, I loved your phrase, “I try to plant my soul on the banks of God’s mercy and love.” A beautiful image for us all! Melannie
My husband had just passed away 2 months before that day; I was so blessed by God to have had the precious gift of him for 42 years, but I was not feeling a lot of joy yet! But on May 8 I stood in front of the television alone screaming, ” He’s an American” like the teenage fan of a rockstar. Today is what is called the “4th day of my life” as I completed a Cursillo weekend yesterday, and I announce my gratitude to God and my willingness to continue to do my best to bring His good news to all I meet.
Susan, My sympathy for the loss of your “precious gift,” your husband of 42 years… I liked your feeling of being “a teenage fan of a rock star” when Pope Leo came out on that balcony! It sounds as if the Cursillo weekend was good for you: it filled you with gratitude and a resolve to continue to do your best. You can’t ask for much more than that… Thanks for sharing with us… Melannie
I would have a Rose on my coat of arms. I was named for Therese, the little flower and am trying to follow her “little way”. I too lost my husband 25 years ago and the anger along with the grief was overwhelming.
Today, I read in her Novena “For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God even more forever.”
Susan, I will remember you in my prayers. I still have days I grieve but I was given a great love, so I am thankful.
Therese, Thank you especially for sharing the line from St. Therese’s novena: “For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God even more forever.” I’m not so sure we can always endure pain “with joy,” but I do believe the pain of loss does help us to appreciate the power and goodness of all love.” Thanks for writing! Melannie
The day of Pope Leo’s election was the day that nine of us were making commitments as Associates of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Columbus, Ohio. Since the Dominicans are the Order of Preachers, one of use needed to preach at the commitment ceremony and I volunteered. I had written my talk the week before while sitting in the adoration chapel in our parish. Then at the last minute I needed to revise it because of the pope’s election. I included a comparison of what we were feeling to what Pope Leo must have been feeling at that point! Then my sister pointed out that the pope and I share a birthday, so I felt an even deeper connection!
Thank you for your wonderful blog. It takes dedication to continually produce so much inspiring content.
Donna, Congratulations on making your commitment as an Associate of the Dominican Sisters of Peace! How nice that you offered to give the homily at the ceremony and you referred to our new Pope and what he must have been feeling that day. Thanks for writing! Melannie
We were driving from Albuquerque to San Antonio. A couple days earlier, we had departed late from our hotel in Gallup to watch each of the members of the Conclave take their oath before going into retreat.
The 10K repetition rule is an interesting challenge to becoming excellent in one’s Spiritual Life .
Barry, I had to look up the “10K repetition rule”–and learned it was popularized by the Candanian journalist Malcolm Gladwell. The rule says: “10,000 hours of practice leads to mastery of a skill.” Interesting! Thank you for helping to educate me–and probably a few of my readers too! Thanks for your comment! Melannie
Sr. Melannie,
I love how you can find spiritual meaning in even the most ordinary things and events of everyday life!
Each new day gives us another chance to revise, rework and redo with the help of God’s grace.
“Be still and know that I am God” reminds me of who is in charge of my life, if I but trust in Him.
Thank you for giving us so many pearls of wisdom!
I had not seen the video. Thank you so much. It has been a difficult year. I am so glad he is someone who seems to have a deep heart. His smile is so genuine.
I did not really think that he was American, because he had been in South America so long, however, I love his motto, for I do believe we are all one in Christ.
Therese, I liked your words describing Pope Leo: “he is someone who seems to have a deep heart.” I appreciated your word “deep.” I would also add: he seems to be someone who has a wide heart”–considering his vast experience. And I too appreciate his simple motto. Yes, “we are all one in Christ.” Thank you for emphasizing those words for us. Melannie
Melannie, Thank you for another wonderful blog. I like the sentence, “Jesus encourages revisions.” Very encouraging, I’m always revising. The video was beautiful. A great reminder of the great gift we received on that day. I imagine it was very humbling to stand on that balcony. Have a good week.
Diane, If you’re always revising, that’s a good sign… And I agree, it had to be very humbling to stand on that balcony. When I tend to get overwhelmed by my daily responsibilities, I remind myself, “But you aren’t trying to lead the 1.27 billion Catholics in the world–plus countless others who look to him for wisdom and encouragement. .. Thank you for your words, Diane… Melannie
Good evening, Sr Melannie! The architect’s “willingness to revise, rework, and redo” struck me especially in regards to education. My lesson plans were revised and reworked many times, sometimes right within a lesson trying to get a point across to my junior high students (not that often with my kindergartners). When raising my grandniece and grandnephew I also found myself revising what I thought was the best thing to do in a given situation. I would find myself taking many things to God in prayer because I would worry too much and try to do everything just right. (My mother named me appropriately.) I guess after 69 + years I know there is not just one absolutely perfect way to do anything. I find myself talking to God and others more than I have ever done in my life.
Pope Leo XIVth’s election still brings me great joy. I think I’m star struck like Susan of our new Catholic “rockstar”!
Thank you for this week’s blog Sister. May God bless you and each of us.
Martha, Martha… (Those are Jesus’ words in today’s gospel!)… Thank you again for your great reflection here. I always appreciate the way you apply some of the words of each reflection to your many years as a Catholic Educator and to some other aspects of your personal life–for example, as one who helped raise your grandniece and grandnephew. These words of yours also struck me: “I find myself talking to God and others more than I have ever done in my life.” I’m sure many of us reading those words would nod in agreement. Thanks again! Melannie