The Season of “In Between”

The geese are flying. The leaves are changing. The nights are cooler. The daylight is a little less. Yes, in deed, Fall is here. Fall is a beautiful season, but kind of “in-between”. In between the glories of summer and the gusts of winter. During Fall we recall the sunny, hazy, lazy days of summer. A lighter load, slower pace, smaller scope of things to do. We marvel at the beautiful flower beds, crisp water scenes, longer days and warmer nights. Then, in the in between, we also think about winter. For those into sports - skies and ski dos come out. Those not into these begin to get their reading list ready and their “trip down south” plans set. Fall really is in between.

What do you do with the “in between’s” ? Those in between times in your spiritual life I mean. Those times in between the glorious “summers” and the gloomy “winters” that come into all our lives. Those seasons when everything is a blessing and those moments when life is a burden.

One things I like about Fall is the time to ponder, pray and prepare that the “in between” affords. To ponder the glories that God has put into my life (family, friends, faith). To pray over the glooms that gust through my life (sadness, sickness, struggle). Praying for the strength in the “in between” to appreciate the one and get through the other. Jesus did the same. Scripture tells us that several times in His ministry He “withdrew to a place by Himself”. He wanted an “in between” moment. It is ok for us to want one too. Christ took the inbetween as a moment to reflect upon the Father’s will, to ensure that His mission was on track and that his priorities were in balance. He also took the time to pray for those who were on the journey with Him. What a great use of the “in between”.

So enjoy the Fall. It is in between. Take it in. Ponder, Prepare, Pray. Bask in those summer glories. Batten down for those winter glooms. Rejoice - a new season is here !

Moving Ahead With Confidence

For the child of God, moving ahead is the only direction Scripture outlines for us to go. While some may choose to maintain the status quo, to go around in circles, or event to want to turn back to the security of what was - moving ahead with confidence is the only life giving alternative.

It has been several years now, since I adopted as a motto for myself, words once entered into the diary of the legendary Dr. David Livingstone. He was the 19th century Scotsman who devoted the best years of his life to crisscrossing the vast continent of Africa as a Christian missionary doctor, preacher, and explorer. The entry he made into his Journals affirms: “I am prepared to go anywhere, as long as it is forward!”

Moving forward is not always easy. There will be potential distractions; the road will bend; obstacles may appear along the way; other adverse circumstances may be faced as well. Yet, nothing should keep our eyes from the ultimate goal; nothing should ever allow discouragement to paralyse us in the process. Moving ahead is the only way to go!

A follower of Jesus truly can move ahead with confidence in any enterprise, maintaining an uplifted head no matter what, and with full assurance of ultimate victory, because of the promises of God and because of the character of God. This character of God is His unfailing goodness toward us. His promise is that God will go with us where He leads us!

As we continue to move forward in life - let us never look back, go around in circles or even just maintain the status quo - rather let us recheck our individual personal histories and be reminded of His faithfulness in years past, being also reassured of what He can do for us now, since Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Indeed, let us trust Him more completely for what He can and will do on behalf of His
children as they encounter new challenges. His promises never fail and He remains faithful to the end, for He loves us with an everlasting love. Our part is simply to keep moving forward with confidence !

September 11th - a Time to Remember Hereos

Recently a newspaper ran a series of articles on Hereos in light of the anniversary of September 11th.
- the Hereos that are being featured are individuals who have come to light as a result of the tragedies on September 11th in New York, Washington and Pennsilvania.
- the Hereos have been Fire Fighters who saved hundred of lives
- the Hereos have been Parents who sheltered their children
- the Hereos have been regular citizens who were in the area & came to the aid of others
- the Hereos were the thousands who donated blood, sent blankets, and even a child who collected Teddy Bears at his school to send to the children who lost a parent.

This special series has shown many tremendous acts of caring, concern, and embracing of the grieving and injured.
The incomprehensible inhumanity of Sept. 11th has resulted in such goodness within the human spirit.

All of the articles stressed one thing - the Call to Serve:
- that here, within the human family a need arose and people responded to the Call to Serve.
- that here, within the human family, people searched for ways to reach out with a God-given love.
- that here, within the human family, people yearned for a way to give sense to a senseless time.

One of the articles, it was the first one, which featured this in a special way, was an article which featured the life of a priest - Father Michael Judge.
- Father Mike was one of the Chaplains of the NY Fire Department.
- his body was among the first to be taken from the reckage of New York
- he was killed as debris fell upon him as he administered the Sacrament of the Sick to a dying Firefighter.

His article spoke of one who was generous, self giving, aware of his God and touched by the love of God in his own life.

These characteristics of being:
- generous, self giving, aware of his God and touched by the love of God in ones own life

these are the characteristics which Amos is trying to get across to his people -in our 1st Reading

Yet Jesus, with the words of Amos firmly in the back of His mind, makes another very relevant point for us today in our Gospel with the story of Lazerus
- He seems to remind his people that we don’t need to let tragedy bring out service in us - but that each of us is called to that Service every day !

We call that - Living the Eucharist

Living the Eucharist is serious business;

▸ We are called to be of Service to one another:
that call to being generous, self giving, aware of his God and touched by the love of God in ones own life

▸ We are called to open the doors of our minds and hearts to those who live the sores of want and loss.

▸ We are called to be Hereos everyday - maybe not the type of Hereos that are featured in articles and series in the Toronto Star
- but Hereos never the less in our homes, workplaces, classrooms and parish

Hereos who live each day tremendous stories of courage
Hereos who serve each day with encouraging stories of faith
Hereos who commit themselves to inspiring stories of God’s grace at work

Back to School

I offer my prayerful best wishes to all who are resuming school this week, especially those who are doing so for the first time at new schools, colleges and universities.

Blessed are you, Lord God,
creator of body and mind and heart;
you have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge
to guide your people in all their ways.

At the beginning of this new school year,
we implore you to bless the students and staff of our
Parish Schools of Our Lady Fatima, St. Elizabeth and
St. Benedict; may we together grow in faith, hope & love.
Bless our young adults who are off to College and University; may they learn how to follow
your Son Jesus in Truth.
Expand the horizons of all our minds,
that we may grow in wisdom,
understanding and knowledge.
Deepen our commitment to seek your ways;
and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.
Glory and praise to you, Lord God,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever.
Amen.