Saints Walk Among Us
Sometimes it’s pointed out that “we stand on the shoulders of giants.” We also rub shoulders with giants and may not even realize it. On the Feast of All Saints we celebrate all people who have made it into heaven, whether they’ve been officially canonized or not. It’s pretty obvious that Mother Teresa and Padre Pio are holy persons. But there are plenty other human beings who are unrecognized saints. They weren’t awarded Nobel prizes for taking in the dying, and they didn’t suffer the stigmata, the bloody wounds of Jesus. In fact, today we live with saints. They may be family members, neighbors, or co-workers who quietly live with love and integrity as Jesus taught. (more…)
How to Be a Gentleman or Gentlewoman
In his book The Idea of a University Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman defined a gentleman as “one who never inflicts pain.” (Of course, this also holds true for a gentlewoman.) I was going to write about what this means, but in checking to see if I remembered his words correctly, I discovered that this holy man already had unpacked the definition. To paraphrase some of his thoughts: A gentle person prevents others from being embarrassed. He or she avoids upsetting people by clashing with their ideas or causing them to feel restrained, suspected, sad, or resentful. The gentle person tries to put everyone at ease and feel at home. This means approaching others in a way attuned to their personality: being tender to the shy, gentle to the distant, and merciful to the foolish. (more…)
Mary, a Helpful Mother
(Teachers: See patron saint questions at end of this post. Click on “Read more.”) In our church a painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is in a front niche usually where her statue stands. It is an icon, symbolic art regarded as a door to the sacred. Icons are an acquired taste. Appreciation for them can develop much as an appreciation for spinach. (more…)
Gospel on Beads
If you believe that Mary appeared at Lourdes and Fatima, then you will take her advice to heart: Pray the rosary. At Lourdes Mary held a rosary and prayed it with Bernadette. At Fatima she told three children to pray the rosary for peace. October is the month of the rosary, and October 7 is the feast of the Most Holy Rosary—time to renew (or begin) our commitment to praying this Catholic prayer. It’s not only a repetition of Hail Marys, but prayed correctly, the rosary centers us on the great mysteries of our faith. The rosary is the Gospel on beads. And as the optional concluding prayer asks, “May we imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.” (more…)
Rainbows and Sand Gifts
Driving home from our BBQ, I saw a spectacular double rainbow shining against dark purple clouds. It ended in front of me on Green Road with the brightest, most vivid display of light I’ve ever seen. Once again, I wished I had my camera in the car! How good it is to be alive and to be able to witness such glorious scenes in nature. I can identify with the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay who wrote, “O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!” I thank God for such lovely gifts and for the fact that I’m not color blind. Creation reflects its creator. Imagine then, how beautiful God must be. If this world contains such marvels as rainbows, what will the next world be like?
The rainbow reminded me of my first sighting of a pilot’s halo. I was some 30 thousand feet above earth, flying to a conference where I was to speak. (At times like this I like to think of God’s hand carrying the plane safely through the sky.) Looking out the window down on the clouds, I saw a miniature shadow of our plane on top of them, gliding alongside us. The plane was surrounded by a circular rainbow. Fascinated, I wondered if I was having a comforting vision! Much later I read a novel in which the heroine was flying in a plane and saw a pilot’s halo. It turns out that this is a phenomenon that occurs under special atmospheric conditions. Since that first pilot’s halo, I’ve seen several, and each time I have to repress the urge to shout to all my fellow passengers, “Look out the window!”
Not having a photo of a rainbow, I’m posting a photo I took of another gift in creation when I did have my camera. Walking along the shore of the Sea of Oman in Arabia, I came across this unusual pattern that wind and waves had created in the sand. With surprises like this appearing in our world, who needs a pot of gold?
When have you delighted in an awesome nature scene? Be ready to feast your eyes on the autumn landscapes that will soon be ours to enjoy.
