October 3, 2024 — Saint of the Day — Saint Theodora Guerin

“In 1823 she entered the Sisters of Providence. Her father was murdered and she cared for her mother and younger sister. In 1840 she was sent to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in Indiana.”

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“The Fathers of the church particularly Clement of Alexandria, believed that the “light” in a person is his/her divine Sonship, the Word living in them. They [church Fathers] taught that the whole of the Christian life was summed up in a service of God which was not only a matter of outward worship, but of “cherishing” that which is divine in ourselves by means of unremitting charity. Clement adds that Christ teaches us “…that the whole Christian life is a course of spiritual education….through his Holy Spirit. We are supposed to be the light of the world.” (Thomas Merton, “Called Out of Darkness”, Life and Holiness, p.16)

What is holiness? What is “Divine Sonship”? Are we really supposed to be Saints? We are called by G-d to live lives of holiness—yet we also teach that this is not achievable — sainthood is outside of our “achievement”. But it is not outside G-d’s ability to give us the light, the courage and the strength to live such lives. And even if a life of holiness remains, well, elusive, we still have G-d’s unmerited Grace—an abundance of Grace. As such, our lives should be seen as opportunities for spiritual growth—building our holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Dave

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