It is like a child being conceived in the womb,
as a seed is planted into rich soil.
Coming of age, sprouting from the earth, growing, giving life to itself
and finally becoming what it was meant to be.
Then living and surviving on the nourishment of time, it succumbs only
to be reborn.
We celebrate the sanctity of this season by
turning to God through prayer and giving thanks for His creations and for each
person healed by their weaknesses and reflecting on our responsibilities for a
religious life. We exalt upon the Holy
Cross, an ‘autumnus tempora’ – the rich colors of the spectrum that come to
symbolize the bringing together of mind and spirit.
Sharing this bounty with Him and with others is a
rite of passage each year at this time. ‘Let us love God; but at the price of
our hands and sweat of our face’ – Saint Vincent De Paul. Through such acts of charity, kindness and
worship, we are moved to those most vulnerable in our society. ‘God sees you’.
Our works are not to be lessened by stature or
notoriety but let them be judged by Him alone.
Like the tree grows, giving of its shade and radiance of color as it
goes to sleep – let us be transformed.
The days of the harvest are upon us.
Let us strive to be good stewards of the many treasures He gives to each
and every one of us. For it is just as
important as what we say as what we put into our mouths.
Give of yourself, give to those who have none and
need it most and be gracious for the richness of the season and to our time
here on earth. Remember that only
through hard work, love and tears do we come to celebrate the sacred abundance
of embertide.
May you feel the gentle breath of the Holy
Spirit, may your hearts be filled with the brightness of the harvest and may
His peace be with you, always