My church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church observed this first Sunday of Advent this morning with my priest Fr. Quinn celebrating mass. Advent is an observance of awaiting the Christ child in the Christian tradition. A candle is lit every Sunday and on Christmas Eve before Christmas day.
Today is All-Saints Sunday which is observed in some Christian traditions such as the Episcopal Church and for me personally at St. Peters. It’s a time to remember those who have died in the previous year. Remembering these souls who have blessed us in this life is an honorable thing to do. It reminds believers that follow Jesus that their lives are not forgotten. It is good to remember and reflect upon the contributions that our saints have made to make the world a better place.
I hope the faithful will vote for peace, love, inclusion, grace and hope.
St Francis is the patron saint of animals so many churches offer animal blessing services, usually held on or around October 4th. At my church, St Peter’s Episcopal this morning we had morning prayers and a blessing of the animals rolled into one service. It is always fun to have our four-legged friends join us. All we had this morning was dogs and cats but, in the past, we have had farm animals, snakes, and spiders. All things great and small have been blessed at this service.
Happy National Coffee Day to all my friends who can’t make it through the day without a cup or three. Enjoy your favorite brew. For me it’s Tim Hortons.
Compassion is powerful. It is the act of feeling concern and pity for the misfortunes of others. It is so needed in a world where people are impacted by the Coronavirus, wildfires in the west, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and regular situations of poverty, hunger, depression, and the like. Sometimes it means forgiving huge debts that would be impossible to repay like those who have a tough time making rent, paying medical bills, and the like.
Compassion is powerful in that it can take the pressure off people who are at their breaking point. Desperate people who through no fault of their own cannot seem to get ahead. Sometimes the system just doesn’t work for them. It means being fair and just which can mean the difference in the lives of those who need it most. The important thing to know is that you could be the person in peril, facing a mountain you cannot climb and one paycheck away from losing it all. We are all in that boat whether we like to admit it or not.
Compassion is powerful in that it works both ways. Everyone is worthy of it. Now that is not to say that one should compassion be a way for someone to take advantage of you, but it can be a way that shows a better way of living.
Compassion is powerful in that you can find your way of doing that for others. Now is not the time to be focused on ourselves but to make the world a better place by giving our friends and neighbors a much-needed break. Harness that power you must give breath and life to those in need.
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