Both Level II and III reflect repeatedly on the parable of the True Vine ( John 15:1-12), in which Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches."  Jesus also says, "Remain in me ... Remain in my love."  Jesus repeats the word "remain" (or "abide") 11 times in the first 10 verses.  He would have used bold and italics if they'd had fonts at the time!  It was an important point.

So, how do we remain on the True Vine?  In verse 10, Jesus tells us, "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love."  And he immediately follows this instruction with the best Good News of all:  "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

As children work with the Maxims, they will see that these are challenging rules to live by, especially in a sustained, consistent manner.  So, why bother.  Maybe it's just too hard.  When we feel that way, it is good to remember the True Vine.  It is good to remember the intended and promised result of being and remaining on the True Vine:  joy, awesome and complete joy.

The Maxims are presented in different ways in the two levels of Atrium.  Regardless, their presentation is preceded by other works that help us consider the vast gifts of Creation and the special place humanity has within Creation and God's Plan. The Level III children have spent weeks now studying the two accounts of Creation in Genesis.  Through their studies, they have met our "transcendent" God (so powerful, so much above us) and our "immanent" God (so very close, so intimate).  And in both accounts, they have recognized the wondrous gifts God has given humans.

Level II children have also reflected on the vastness and unity of God's Plan, from Creation, through Redemption, and awaiting Parousia, the time that God will be all in all.  They have "walked" this history as they unwound over 50 feet of grosgrain ribbon back in November, and a smaller rendition of that same ribbon is a constant on the Atrium wall.  They are reminded of all the gifts of Creation:  sun, moon, stars; rocks and minerals; all types of plants and living creatures.  So many gifts carefully prepared for human beings so that, when they arrived, everything was ready for their delight and work and invention.

This presentation order is deliberate.  It is necessary to first experience and enjoy the History of the Kingdom of God - to recognize God's loving gifts and our loving response - before introducing the rules and order that bring this history to fulfillment.  Sophia Cavalletti explains this in The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old:

"If moral exhortation were left to stand alone, if good behaviors were taught for their own sake, it would be like preparing robots who know and follow rules instead of persons who participate in God's plan for the fullness of life."

We remember again the promise that our joy is complete when we remain on the True Vine.

The Level III presentation on Maxims is called "The Maxims in the Cosmos and in the Heart of the Human Person."  Quite a mouthful.  But it really pulls together so much of our Atrium work.  And although the Level II children don't receive this exact reflection, it can be a useful reflection for adults.  Parents can bring it forward into everyday family life in whatever way makes sense.

Now you too can feel a special commitment to a chosen Maxim!  For a limited time only (or until Parousia), you can adopt a Maxim and give it a special home:  on your fridge, on your bedside table, in your thoughts, in your prayers, in your heart, or in your everyday life.  Your children may be coming home with a Maxim copied down to work on and pray over especially this Lent.  Level III kids should definitely have been encouraged to do this, and Level II may also try this approach.  Would you like to join with your child in some way on this challenge of following a Maxim in a special way?

This can actually be a successful way to bring scripture into your everyday speech.  A Maxim can provide a pithy phrase to express awareness of each other's Lenten efforts.  Last year, Alyssa worked on a Maxim that says, "Enter through the narrow gate."  Our take was that this meant to do the right thing even when it's not the convenient, comfortable or easy thing.  So, then we shared this "secret code" whereby we could say stuff like, "that's a pretty narrow gate" or "wow, you really managed your way through that gate."  It raised my awareness to notice and note the "narrow gates" that she navigates.  Do you remember having a secret code or secret language with a sibling or very close friend growing up?  What if you and your child could share that?  What if God shared it too?  And it came up several times a day.  Wouldn't that be neat?

If you are up for this limited adoption offer, browse the Maxims listed below and offer up your heart and home to one today!  Maybe this is something you want to do just for yourself or with your child or with the whole family.  How can a Maxim become present in your Lent?

The "Summary of the Law:"

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.  Luke 10:27

The following Maxims are provided to both Levels II and III:

I give you a new commandment:  Love one another as I have loved you.  John 13:34

Love your enemies.  Matthew 5:44

Do good to those who hate you.  Luke 6:27

Always treat others the way you would have them treat you.  Matthew 7:12

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  1 Cor. 6:19

You must be made perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

Say, "Yes" when you mean "Yes," and "No" when you mean "No."  Matthew 5:37

I do not say forgive seven times, but seventy times seven.  Matthew 18:22

When you pray, go into a room by yourself, shut the door and pray to your Father in private.  Matthew 6:6

Ask, and you will receive.  Seek, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7

Give when you are asked to give, and do not turn your back on someone who wants to borrow.  Matthew 5:42

When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you.  Matthew 6:2a

The following additional Maxims are just in Level III:

Pray for those who persecute you.  Matthew 5:44b

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?  Matthew 7:3

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.  Matthew 5:40

Store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroy.  Matthew 6:20a

No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.  Luke 9:62

Enter through the narrow gate.  Matthew 7:13a