Saints

There are many people, some whom I've never met, that I feel are saints in my life.

Many of you know that in my spirituality, I've been influenced greatly by St. Benedict and the Rule that he wrote for his monks to live under. What a wonderfully God-centered man, who created an order for life that still stands the test of time.

One of the early saints in my life growing up was my paternal grandfather, Grandpa Jardine. He taught me the joys of listening to classical music, fishing with just enough worm on a hook to tempt a potential dinner entree, and the importance of education. He was a very special saint in my life.

Among the many jobs a priest has, is one that I cherish most. It is walking with people through this life, and celebrating their lives as they pass to the joys of heaven. I've posted the picture here of a saint that passed that I think of often and treasure the memories of -- Miss Hazel Wales. Hazel at the end of most sentences would exclaim, "Well Bless You" -- it was the way she said it -- and meant it -- that touched my heart the most.

Today, there are many people I consider saints in my life -- teachers and friends that are wise and offer kind, sage words.

Saints are always around us -- that is what the communion of Saints is all about. According to the Episcopal Dictionary (which I love to offer info from each week on the email blast), the communion of Saints is the union and shared life of all Christians in Christ, including those who now live in the world and those whose mortal lives have ended. The collect for All Saints' Day states, "Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord"(BCP p. 245). The Apostles' Creed affirms the communion of saints, and the Catechism explains that it is "the whole family of God, the lviing and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and priase" (BCP pp. 96, 862). A hymn text by Charles Wesley (526 in The Hymnal 1982) prays, "Let saints on earth in concert sing with those whose whork is done; for all the servants of our King in heaven and earth are one."





I pray you give thanks this day for ALL the Saints in your life....

Falling into Fall

I love this time of year!

The air starts to crisp up a bit, and taking walks in the middle of the day doesn't feel like walking in a sauna. I also love the fact that people fall into a gentler rhthym -- the children are back in school, church becomes more of a priority (there is that lure of the sun and the beach in the summer!) It just feels wonderful.

The light on the church during the day and early evening changes as we move into this time of year. I feel as though I want to crawl up in a blanket and just watch the movement of the sun on the stained glass windows while sitting in the church. It's beautiful -- and breath taking.

I think when we pray, we open ourselves up to the same feeling of warmth and beauty -- being in the presence of God in prayer IS like being wrapped in a warm blanket -- a blanket of love. What passes in front of our eyes is the beauty of this world -- of our relationship with God and with each other.

As we move into the fall, the days will shorten -- but God's love for us is always growing, as our response to that love is invited to grow. I invite you to wrap yourself in the blanket of God's love -- enjoy the beauty and warmth..... there really is no better place on earth!

Hospice...

I knew it had to happen one day, but why did it have to be now?

My Dad, who many of you know from his visits to the parish, was diagnosed with lung cancer and prostate cancer a few years ago. He refused treatment then. The lung cancer was extremely slow growing, until recently.

It started growing quickly. The doctors also found a tumor in his hip bone.

Radiation on the hip sent him from walking with a cane, to a walker, now he has to use a wheelchair. He has had enough, so he is refusing further radiation therapy.

He's on hospice now, and he's being kept comfortable. He's still feisty...he's still my Dad!

I'll be going up to see him this weekend....my last chemo was almost 4 weeks ago, so I've been cleared to travel -- and my own radiation starts Monday. It'll be good to be with him for a few days.

I was hoping to put this kind of visit off for a long time....who knows? He has beaten other things before.......