Nov. 9 is the day we remember the Dedication of the Lateran Bascilica. To be specific, the Lateran Bascilica is the Basicilica of St. John Lateran, in Rome. Why would this dedication make it into the liturgical calendar, and why is it important? First of all, we have to realize that church buildings, simply in and of themselves, are signs of hope. There's a story told of an atheist person who would drive by a large church each day. Even though she herself did not believe, she said, she was glad to see that building every day because it meant that there were people in this world who did believe. She didn't feel that she could pray, but she did have confidence in the prayers of others. That understanding is the most basic understanding of what "church" is - a community of believers who gather to have an encounter with the living God. Sometimes just the act of gathering together is enough of a witness. There's another story we know of personally, where an 80 year old man spent years driving by a large suburban Catholic church. One day, he just pulled in. He said he did it because every time he drove by, there were cars in the parking lot - night and day. He decided that if that many people thought this church was worth showing up to, maybe there was something worthwhile going on here. He eventually came in to see for himself. These are a couple of the reasons why we remember and celebrate the dedication of the Lateran Basicila. This church is actually the seat of the Bishop of Rome, who also happens to be the Pope. It features large sculptures of the 12 apostles, who are shown holding symbols of their martyrdom. This church is a reminder of the call of every baptized person to spread the Good News. Being designated a basilica means it holds a special place in the heirarchy of churches, so to speak. Bascilicas can be fitting destinations for a pilgrimage, and are usually of larger proportions and have more ability and tendency to adapt to the needs of pilgrims. So, for example, many bascilias have programs or festivals that encourage religious visits and retreats. A visit to a bascilica is an event, a celebration. It is a special thing to do within the spiritual life. Basilicas encourage and invite us to step out of ordinary life, and focus more fully on the transcendent, at least for a little while. It's interesting that we Catholics will even designate buildings as holy places, isn't it? This, too, is a sign of the ultimate temple, the new Jerusalem that will be made up of living stones. So for this gracious reminder, let us give thanks. Lord, we thank you for the skills and abilities you gave us, so that we can imagine and build such wonderful places of prayer and encounter. Help us to carry this gratitude in our hearts. Amen. “Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. -Pope St. John Paul II
0 Comments
Here's another unsung hero of the Fall - the chrysanthemum. It's everywhere during this season, and is usually taken for granted. It sort of fades into the background - the backdrop to pumpkins and gourds.
But the chrysanthemum is a such perfect symbol for the harvest season. It comes in a myriad of colors, with tons of blooms on every stalk, and each blossom itself is just stuffed to the brim with petals. Everything about it shouts fullness, abundance and plenty. It even has a lovely, delicate scent - not too overwhelming, always refreshing and sweet, and the blooms last for a couple of weeks, to boot. Just a lovely symbol for the Fall. If you get the chance, bury your nose in a fresh chrysanthemum. Breathe in deeply, and let your gaze linger on the beautiful color of the blossom. And give thanks for this simple, sweet, and unsung hero. Cinnamon is around so much this time of year. It's in drinks, potpourri, pies - even decorative broomsticks.
The idea of sprinkling cinnamon on top of a hot cup of coffee is just delicious, mouth-watering and even heartwarming. Think of the scent of cinnamon baking in an apple pie, or simmering on the stove with clove and oranges. Is there any other smell that is more welcoming, that just says HOME in capital letters? And now we even know that cinnamon has health benefits! It's loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflamatory properties, may cut your risk of heart disease, and can help lower blood sugar levels. Some studies have shown that it may even be helpful in preventing cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Wow! (You can read more about wonderful cinnamon here: www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#section6) It seems like cinnamon is truly good for the body and soul. Have you ever thought to stop and thank God for this simple spice, that we use so often and always overlook? It makes us wonder - what other simple, ordinary things do we overlook each day? Thank you God, for the gift of cinnamon and all those small, simple things you give us that we so often overlook. Help us to see how extraordinary the ordinary things are. Amen. Faith is a gift. Some people have it in abundance, and others struggle to hold on to the little bit they have. Who knows why some people have so much, and others have so little? It's a mystery. Perhaps the reason, at least partially, lies in what we do with what we've been given. If exercised, does faith grow? If ignored, does it disappear? This truck driver would belong to the first group, the group who has a great deal of faith. Let's give thanks that he was given so much! So much, in fact, that he posts saint stickers on the back of his truck as a public witness and public prayer. What a great sight to see on a very ordinary truck, on a very ordinary day. Lord, help us to see you in everything, and help us to bring you everywhere. Grow the gift of faith in us. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us!Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7-10
This past weekend, we all turned our clocks back and left Daylight Savings Time for the year.
Woohoo! This has to be everyone's favorite Sunday morning. You can get up at the same time as usual (according to your body clock) and have a whole, free, unscheduled hour! Or, you can roll over and get an extra hour of sleep. Both are great options. Since this Sunday always falls in November, let's add it to the list of things to be thankful for. Lord God, we are thankful for the gift of Time. Help us to use it well, all the days - and hours - of our lives. Amen. The sky looks a little different in the Fall. It takes on a deeper shade of blue, and seems to stretch out into eternity. The summer sky, on the other hand, is warm and welcoming and friendly. It invites you to be happy, to drink some sweet tea and stay a while. But the Fall sky reminds you of the End of Things. The clouds are thin and stretched out, and they draw us into contemplation. It's a crisp, bittersweet blue; a thin but strong blue. The Fall sky invites you to breathe deeply. In. Out. In. Out. Especially on those days when the breeze is fresh enough that you can almost drink it. It invites you to "Wake Up!" Be alert! There's a reminder of the Truth, a sense of expectancy, a world that is preparing for something, a drawing in. For those who see with the eyes of faith, this is a great blessing. We know that one day, we , too, will be part of this great gathering in, this home-going. We are a people on a pilgrimage. One day, the pilgrimage will finish. We will reach our Journey's End. And for this, we give thanks. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time. - T.S. Eliot
For that crunch, crunch, crunch of the leaves underfoot. The sound of the turning of the year; that unmistakeable noise telling us that summer has passed and the year is drawing in.
It's the coldness of the fall air that makes the leaves change colors. Another reminder that strife can produce great beauty. Give Thanks for Purgatory? Whaaat? Yes! Consider this: "If a soul were brought to see God when it had still a trifle of which to purge itself, a great injury would be done it. Yet, a great happiness is granted to the Holy Souls that grows as they draw nearer God. For every glimpse which can be had of God exceeds any pain or joy a man can feel. The Holy Souls clearly see God to be on fire with extreme love for them. Strongly and unceasingly this love draws the soul with that uniting look, as though it had nothing else to do than this. " -St. Catherine of Genoa Purgatory basically means that God can put all the pieces back together again, can create wholeness, so that we can see that we all belong together in one enormous symphony of being. -Pope Benedict XVI
Welcome to our Month Of Giving Thanks! Let's start off the month by being grateful for this day, November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints. What would we do without the constant intercession of the saints? What a wonderful day, what a blessing, to be able to stop and recognize them, and think about meeting them in person one day in the next life. "In the saints, we are continually coming into contact, not with a diminished life continually curtailed by mortification, but with life at the moment of its pristine outpouring, with life at the moment of its burgeoning splendor: with life itself - a wellspring we are only now discovering... A hero gives us the illusion of surpassing humanity. But the saint does not surpass it: he assumes humanity; he strives to realize it as well as possible...He strives to come as close as possible to his model, Jesus Christ, the One who was perfect man, who was man with perfect simplicity, who was man to the point of disconcerting all heroes." -G. Bernonos A saint does not mean being more than human. A saint is the one who has become fully human. |
This blog contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of a piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Baskets & Blessings writers in this way.
Archives
September 2023
Categories |