Raking as Redemptive Behavior
Today, I know I speak for all of us ministry members when I say that we all had a really great time at “training” this morning. No, we didn’t do the usual donning of the karate gi, our stretching, warm-up gyaku’s and geri’s, kihon, kata and partner drills… we did our periodic yard work at Momilani Rec Center, followed by a terrific potluck. Sempai’s Robert, Rodney and I brought our weedwhackers and methodically worked the growth along the pavilion’s corner… while everyone else used many rakes to fill many trash bags with the leaves and detritus that littered the large green spaces of the Momilani Rec Center lawn. It was hot out there, we made much use of our legs, knees and backs, and time just flew. Before we knew it, the potluck dishes came out, and we enjoyed a rare time spent with our karateka ohana, sating the appetites we had worked up, drinking our cold refreshments, and just talking story amid much laughter. I am struck by the image of raking and sweeping, as recurring themes in the martial arts. You’ll see it in many of the martial arts movies… monks raking or sweeping the temple grounds. I’m [...]