Shifting Seasons

1 Oct

“October, baptize me with leaves!  Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins.  O autumn!  O teakettle!  O grace!”  ~ Rainbow Rowell

Okay.  Those of you who know me know that I almost didn’t use today’s quote because of the split pea soup.  However, the mental picture painted of autumn superceded my dislike of all things pea. With that in mind, let us continue.

October is a magical month.  For us in the Diocese of Gary, it begins (on October 2nd) with the celebration of the Guardian Angels, our patronal feast.  We thank God for the blessings bestowed upon us as members of the diocese who have been served so faithfully through the years by its bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, and sisters.

October also has the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7th as well as the feasts of some well-known and well-loved saints.  It ends with Halloween, the vigil of All Saints Day.  Throughout the month, the days get shorter and the leaves change color and begin to drop from the trees as they anticipate the coming of winter.

In all of this, we are treated to remembrances of God’s great love for us.  Whether it be in the celebration of angels, the remembrance of great saints, or the vision of nature around us, we see God’s glory shining.  That gives us great comfort and also spurs us to live our lives of faith as best as we can.

October reminds us that seasons are changing, that winter is coming, and that we need to prepare for colder and darker months ahead.  Yet in all of that, we know that spring will follow winter as surely as day follows night.  Take in the glory of this time of the year and keep your eyes fixed on what is to come so that you may be prepared.

FAITH ACTION:  As you gaze at the shifting beauty all around you this autumn, make sure to thank God for the grandeur of His creation which, by the way, includes all of us.