Looking for inspiration for this newsletter article – the deadlines always seem to come around so fast – I checked which saints the church celebrates during the month of October.
I was aware that we remember St Francis of Assisi and St Luke, the physician and Evangelist, this month – but I was pleased to be reminded of the feast days of several other saints, too: Paulinus – a Bishop of York and missionary, who took the gospel to Northumberland, baptising many new Christians there; Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking; Wilfrid of Ripon; Teresa of Avila, teacher of the faith; Simon and Jude, Apostles. Some of these Saints are well known, but others you may not have heard of before.
I wonder if you have a favourite Saint?
St Francis is well-known for his love of animals and creation. He is said to have preached to the birds, and to have tamed the wolf of Gubbio. He also wrote a Canticle, or hymn, to the Sun – praising God with all his creatures, including Brother Sun, Sister Moon and the stars in heaven.
St Luke was the author of the third Gospel, and also of the Book of Acts. He was a physician, or doctor, and he accompanied St Paul on some of his missionary journeys.
St Teresa of Avila is, perhaps, best known for the following poem / prayer, which is attributed to her:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which He looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your favourite saints, and on how and why they inspire you and help you. What might we learn from their example?
You might also want to reflect upon the above poem. How can you use your body – your hands, feet and your eyes – to share God’s love, compassion and blessings with those whom you encounter each day?
God bless
Karen x
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