Traveling to the Saturday mornings saw the weather change,

The sadness of those passing in our family around us,

The unchanging nature of liturgy,

And of community prayer.

 

Through this, she sat, praying,

Listening,

Touching dialog with the lightness of a water droplet,

So as to leave a mark which placed Francis,

Or Jesus on the conversation.

 

The fellow explorer filled with love,

No agenda, but seeing where the way has been lost,

Or should be … the Franciscan way.

Only when a nail is placed in His hand, does she respond less gently.

 

And even then, not chastisement,

Rather redirection.

For this soul is the essence of a Franciscan.

Love encased in wisdom for the world to savor.

This week we celebrate the feast of our parish patron saint, St. Eulalia. While most reading this reflection will know her history, it’s interesting to note the origin of her name is derived from the Greek meaning “to be articulate”.

St. Eulalia’s response to the Roman emperor’s demand that she deny Christ was certainly met with the most articulate and courageous act. One which led to her physical demise and certain place with God in perpetuity. This certitude by which she, as with many saints, welcomed their martyrdom is often hard for us to understand.

Yet it is this powerful faith we are all called towards. God is eternally present with us, even in the most difficult times, are we are called respond and notice Him. We may never be asked to offer our lives for our faith under pain of death. Yet, when we ignore those who are helpless, those in pain, even those separated from God through addiction or misfortune are we are being called to deny Him?

Our everyday life presents us with opportunities to do His will. Saints, such as St. Eulalia had enough faith and knowledge of God they were willing to make this sacrifice, and by doing so helped to build up the Body of Christ on earth. The Church. Us.

This week, as we look towards Lent, perhaps St. Eulalia can inspire us to be that slightly better person, not by giving up our life in sacrifice, but by honoring Christ’s sacrifice with our own “articulate” response in our deeds and actions.

St. Eulalia … pray for us

 

Michael Cunningham is Director of Faith Formation for St. Eulalia Parish

Watercolor crated by Michael J. Cunningham © 2017

 

A snow tipped mountain,

Far away,

Sees the adventurer,

A small spec, indistinguishable from this distance,

But still clearly seen by a mind filled with imagination.

 

Taken away from it all,

The shadows cast from a rising sun,

Emphasize the painting brush which is the wind,

Forcing snowflakes to stay or leave,

According to a breath from above.

 

All this through my window, and my neighbor’s roof.