Outstanding Supporting Role

For a certain amount of my teenage years I loved watching awards shows. I don’t think I missed too many from the Junos to the Grammys from the Emmys to the Oscars. You name it I watched - and all of it - from beginning to end. Doing homework at commercials, giving play by plays to my family – who didn’t care at all. I’m not sure why I liked watching them; maybe it was how grand they were, maybe it was the actors getting a chance to be real or maybe it was the pageantry of it all. Let’s be honest it wasn’t the most productive use of time or even the most satisfying thing to do. I am happy that I have moved beyond needing to watch people get awards, there is so much more to do, embrace and celebrate in life.

 

However, what got me thinking about watching awards shows was this last week of September and the Saints we celebrate. It is like the Category for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, there are so many outstanding Saints packed into this one week. It is a blessing as we move into fall days, to have so many witnesses of light and life. Each of these Saints playing a supporting role in the mission of Christ and the Church. The best part about the Saints is that they don’t look for awards or acknowledgment, they simply point to Christ as their lead and work for the glory of God.

 

The nominees for Outstanding Supporting Saint in a Drama Series (which is life) are:

Saints Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues & companions – Canadian Martyrs –

priests and laymen, missionaries – September 26

 

Saints Cosmas & Damian – Brotherly Support –

physicians, miracles – September 26

 

Saint Vincent de Paul – Man of Charity –

generosity, visionary – September 27

 

Saint Wenceslaus – Defender of the Faith –

witness, ruler – September 28

 

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and companions – First Filipino Saint -

husband, father, missionary – September 28

 

Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael – Heavenly Light –

Archangels, protectors, messengers – September 29

 

Saint Jerome – Doctor of the Church –

translator, biblical scholar – September 30

 

 

And the winner is:

Us! We the Church are the winners, in that we have these incredible and selfless witnesses to inspire our faith journey. What a gift we have to true role models, real people (well except for the angels) who faced struggles with their families, society, the Church, their characteristics, and their journey; but still chose to persevere and remained focused on Christ.

It truly is a win-win situation for them and for us! And to think this is just this week, there are other weeks in the year that are brim full with women Saints and children Saints who our outstanding in the their supportive role!

 

God of All Life,

In your wisdom you choose men, women and children

that serve as great supports for us in our journey,

both those recognized as Saints and those known only to us.

Thank you for this gift and for these people.

May we continue to take our place

in the outstanding supportive role

in doing our part to build Your Kingdom.

Amen.

 

Holy Saints… pray for us!

Overwhelmed

Sometimes life is so overwhelming is it not?

And overwhelming can come in so many forms…

There is being overwhelmed with responsibilities, assignments and project goals.

There is being overwhelmed by news of sickness, loss of life or tragedy.

There is being overwhelmed by the beauty of creation, the melody of song, 

the intrigue of art.

There is being overwhelmed with the love of friends & family, moments of quiet, 

awareness of life.

September is sometimes an overwhelming month, with new demands and new routines connected to the school year starting, moving, harvesting, community involvements and sometimes even career changes. I am very mindful of that as we have just passed by the mid-way of this month. The last few weeks have been overwhelming with events, school assignments, long term planning, immediate demands and hearing of news (both personal, family and world) that tug at my heart strings. Being mindful of this I work hard not to get caught up in or stay stuck in the overwhelming rather to focus on gifts and blessings. This sometimes takes a genuine STOP moment just to be in touch with all that overwhelms me in a good way (note the last two overwhelm points above) and all that I have to be grateful for. A STOP moment is a song listened to, a quiet prayer at start of day, a photo, a phone call just to say 'hi', a walk, a stop and stare at autumn beauty, a coffee with a friend... these STOP moments are always recaptured at end of the day with my brief journal of gratitude, joy and Christ findings.

As September continues to unfold and I continue to find a good pace, a God pace...

In those times I feel helpless or uncertain…

I trust in the promise that all things are possible with God.

In the moments when the stack of to do is way too tall…

I trust in the strength that is promised to me in the resurrection.

In the moments that I feel overwhelmed by sadness or hurt…

I trust in the hope that is Christ planted deep with me.

In the times I am overwhelmed by God’s amazing love…

I trust that the blessings God pours into my life sustains me.

God of Everything,

I know you are with me always,

Thank you.

When I feel overwhelmed

remind me that you are indeed with me. (I need those reminders God!)

Your goodness, love and mercy is always abundant,

know that my gratitude overflows more than anything that overwhelms me. 

(I need to remember that!)

Amen.

Friends... let us continue to pray for each other, our families, our communities and our world... let prayer overwhelm all that overwhelms us... God is always in the mix.

Face to the Sun

As autumn begins to take its rightful place

I find we turn our faces to the sun - 

maybe it is knowing of coming winter days,

maybe it is appreciating the warmth more in crisp air,

maybe it is the way it catches the fall colors.

Regardless, of the reasons why we turn our faces,

we do so to embrace the light - 

as we turn our gaze to the sun

it serves as a gentle reminder 

to walk in the light of the Son,

today, this season and always.

This simple poem/reflection formed today as I went for a walk. I was thinking about the school year which as of today has officially begun, I was thinking of routines, I was thinking of things I want to work on and I was thinking about the season of fall that is very quickly making its mark. 

The idea of turning my face to the sun, was more than and idea, I was actually doing it naturally, I was holding my head up high and letting the rays cast its warmth across my face. There was a peacefulness in it, maybe a calm before the storm, or the reminder to stay in the light even on the days that feel like big storms or maybe it was a simple reminder from Christ saying: "I am with you always until the end of time." I am so thankful for that moment, as the childhood song says, "let the sun shine in face it with a grin." Indeed I did just that!

So as school begins to take shape, community, school and work commitments begin to anchor themselves into our schedules, as we continue to seek balance; may we continue to focus on the light. The true Light which never sets, which calls us to life, encourages us to be positive and reminds us that is casts the shadows behind us - leaving them in the past so as not to hinder our steps into the light.

Here is to autumn days filled with sunshine, days focused on the Light of the world and the courage to walk boldly (and if we need to gently) into this glorious Light!