My Daily Visitor November 1st to November 7th

Articles published in My Daily Visitor

November 1st, All Saints Day, Wednesday.

An Impossible Challenge

Try as I may, there are those imperfections that my boss always highlights during my review, those that former teachers point out – usually in red – and my wife lovingly tolerates. Jesus has not given us an impossible task in the Beatitudes, but a goal and a vision. A summary of his teachings – a stairway to climb on our Journey here, and a view of what is to come.

The goal is not perfection but in part, to understand ourselves and others. He knows our faults and through His love understands us just as our mothers had when we were children. And aren’t we still children in the eyes of God. Perfection and purity, which no person, but Jesus alone has achieved, is obtained in what is to come.

Lord, help me see beyond my troubles, and bask in your glory as the Saints have.

November 2nd, All Souls Day, Thursday

The Worse Infliction

When I was hospitalized, the greatest consolation was having daily visits by my wife, family and friends. These moments grounded me to what is really important. They also helped me focus on getting well. Friendships offer a most important item to wellness – hope thru companionship. The saddest thing was not their departure but of something else. Throughout my stay, some of my fellow patients received no visitors. They suffered from the worse infliction of them all – loneliness. They were alone in the confines of their illness and possibly in spirit as well.

On this day let us not forget those who have no one to bring a little something to their life and those in Purgatory who have no one to pray for their souls.

Lord, help me remember, you are always here besides us when we feel most alone.

November 3rd, Friday of Week Thirty

Problems and Burdens

You would think this tender letter was written in a place of security and confidence, from a man whose life was on the expected path. Well spiritually and emotionally it have been, but this letter came from the dark confines of prison whose outcome was uncertain. His love and hope conquered the humiliation of jail. His suffering, like those many others to follow, only enabled the love to grow even more. Our missionaries and Saints set a path for us – a smoother road for us more fallible believers. Remember, our Lord is aware of our frailties and weaknesses. We are on a temporary journey. He will carry us through the worse burdens. Don’t fret, enjoy the simple pleasure and kiss up to God the small nuisances of life. Do the best you can.

Lord, help me to see beyond my daily struggles and temptations.

November 4th, Saturday of Week Thirty

Simple Humility and Unselfishness

St. Charles was one of the great reformers of the Catholic Reformation. A man of ability and energy with the power and influence to use it, however, he possessed the traits the great leaders of the Church have: humility and unselfishness.

While each of us is on a separate journey, we must remember our relationships. The constant interaction with others – strangers, friends and family – leaves a lasting impression. I remember my grandmother telling me that as children our behavior was a reflection on our parents, our grandparents and on our faith. A simple smile and thank you can go a long way. It bridges the gaps that separate us and lowers the walls we have built. A smile for a stranger, a thank you, eases the burdens we all have to carry.

Lord, help me be humble and unselfish. To portray dignity & unselfishness in this world.

November 5th, Sunday

A Simplex Priest

Sometimes for me, limitations can result in certain appealing traits being uncovered. For example, on this day we honor one of my personal favorite followers of Jesus – now venerable, hopefully one day a saint, Wisconsin native, Fr. Solanus Casey. Born in 1870, his simplicity in love and faith attracted many followers.

It was his simplicity, struggles and a misunderstanding that makes this former logger, prison guard, streetcar operator and beekeeper most attractive. Considered ‘slow’ intellectually, he was forbidden to hear confessions or give homilies. Ironically, without these responsibilities and relegated to being a porter and sacristan, Fr Solanus’ true self shown forth. These restrictions enabled God’s great blessings of compassion, healing and understanding to manifest. His life makes a good read and an example of the crooked paths we all follow in life.

Lord, with the restrictions placed upon me, help me to grow in holiness through them.

November 6th, Monday

May the Circle be Unbroken

We hear Paul being adamant to “complete my joy” to the new flock. We who are parents or teachers, mentors or consolers know that feeling when our ‘children’ follow the steps taught. This is knowledge passed on. A display that our sacrifices, efforts may not have been in vain. These can be simple acts of knowledge taught over a few days or habits of discipline and encouragement absorbed by our ‘students’ and passed onward by them. Knowledge and love crossing generations.

We all are ‘students’ but how many can become ‘teachers’? As a husband or wife, father or mother we too can and must continue to learn. We can only hope that ‘advice’ given so freely may be the correct for that moment, for that time and place. What good is knowledge unused?

Lord, may I be both a student forever learning, a teacher forever giving.

November 7, 2006 Tuesday of Week Thirty

An Open Invitation

Like the invited guest for the feast, we have one choice, one life. But unlike the feast, God gives us many chances. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it.

The guests in the Gospel figured there always be another feast for they were wealthy. We too have a wealth; a richness that can be used over and over – the Sacrament of Penance. The Condition: as long as you are truly sorry.

I remember my childhood fears of the dark, foreboding confessional and this was after post-Vatican reforms. It took a long time to come back from this image for I had forgotten God’s kindness and forgiveness. He knows we are imperfect, but all we have to do is try. A good priest and a face-to-face talk are wonderful. Use it. It’s designed especially for us.

Thank you Lord, You have forgiven our fallibilities through this wonderful sacrament.

End

4/20/06