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!