October 2, 2024 — Saint of the Day — Feast of the Guardian Angels:

“Guardian angels are not just for children, but adults alike. Matthew 18:10 says: “see that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of the Father.”

“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:10-14

“Saint John Chrysostom points out that the mere fact that the life of the Monk is more austere and more difficult should not make us think that Christian holiness is principally a matter of difficulty. This would lead to the false conclusion that because salvation seems less arduous for the layman it is also in some strange way less truly “salvation”. ON the contrary, says Chrysostom, “God has not treated us [lay people and clergy] with such severity as to demand of us monastic austerities as a matter of duty. He has left to all a free choice. One must be chaste in marriage, one must be termperate in meals…you are not ordered to renounce your possessions.” (Thomas Merton, “Called Out of Darkness”, Life and Holiness, p.14)

We are not all called to the ordained ministry – or rostered ministry. In fact, our churches are struggling because there are too few individuals attending our seminaries, and too many churches in need of pastors. As such, I believe our church is going through a severe austerity—perhaps a necessary reduction. However, though the calling to ministry remains for the few, salvation continues to be for the many. No matter your vocation in life—milkmaid, doctor, mailman, IT specialist or student—we all have gifts to share that may change the lives of the poor, disabled and mentally ill as well as the faithful. Not all need to go through monastic austerities—we just need to live out our faith in whatever vocation to which we are called.

Pastor Dave