So, that title... Enquiring minds want to know. I'm sure there is, but because I was raised Lutheran rather than Roman Catholic, I have little knowledge of the Saints.
But if there is, then of the entire church year, today, this Sunday would have to be their feast day.
Today is the first Sunday of the Christian church year, the first Sunday of the season of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation, both for the celebration of Christmas commemorating the coming of Christ as a baby into our world, and also for his awaited return. A lot of language heard in church during this season is about waiting, hoping, expecting.... sound familiar?
On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the Hope candle on the advent wreath.
Hope is something we talk about a lot in the ALI community. Hope, or the lack thereof, colours much of our discussion. Hope is our life preserver during the tww, while we are waiting for the next round of tests, and when we are making the big decisions about building our families.
And yet, I know it's easy for me to get so distracted by all these things (and more), and to let go of that very hope that gets me through. Today at church, the Gospel lesson was from Luke 22 and included "Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with ... the anxieties of life." Again I ask... sound familiar?
Living life in the present, not stressing out about what tomorrow will bring, is a tough thing to do. But, I think if we truly cling to hope, let it soak into every corner of our lives, it might just be a little easier. Hopefully.
I'm struggling with this. I'm weighed down by my past and things I can not change and I sometimes miss what is right in front of me. I so want to live my life in the now. To be present in it. Thanks for the reminder. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteAfter a few injuries I learned how to slow down and live in this moment. I had to find my path, interesting it was right in my backyard. Really! I agree with your thoughts on Hope:-)
ReplyDeleteHey there Mrs Gamgee-found your blog on SQ. I am a fellow LOTR fan also! We are on the same wavelength at the moment-hope is on my mind a lot too. I too have had to force myself to live in the present and it is an ongoing battle.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog you have here-think I'll stick around!
As a child (raised Roman Catholic) I was always taught that St. Jude is the patron saint of hope. (I'm sure this is why St. Jude's hospital for really sick children is named in his honor.)
ReplyDeleteThough I've grown away from Catholicism, he's the saint I'd personally consider. He is the saint I was taught to go to when things seemed almost "hopeless." (Ie: cancer patients at St. Jude's. Or in our case---infertility.)
As an adult, I've heard that St. Anne (the mother of Mary; Jesus' grandmother) is the patron saint for motherhood/grandmotherhood. I haven't done much research on this.
I've been thinking of you, Dear Hobbit! :)
Just realized how my comment sounded....please understand what I mean by "almost hopeless." I hope you know me well enough to know that the optimist in me is confident that someday we'll both have BFPs that end with healthy babies. Hugs!
ReplyDelete{{{Hugs}}} dear lady. There are actually quite a few Saints associated with infertility/sterility. St. Anthony and St. Rita seem to be the two saints I found mentioned most often.
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