“The Second Nun’s Tale” in The Canterbury Tales relates how Cecilia, Roman born and Christian reared, had secretly vowed her virginity to God. The Almighty in turn tendered her a guardian angel committed to helping her keep her vow even when she was constrained by her parents to marry a young pagan named Valerian. On her wedding night she revealed her secret to her new husband, who in return asked to see the angel. Cecilia agreed that that would happen if Valerian would become a Christian. To accomplish that conversion Cecilia sent him—and he agreed to go—to St. Urban, who became the agent of Valerian’s conversion.[1] Upon his return to Cecilia he did indeed meet the angel who crowned the pair with halos of roses and lilies that would never rot away or lose their fragrance and are visible only to those who serve chastity. The story then unfolds with a series of conversions (beginning with Valerian’s brother) and a series of martyrdoms, culminating in Cecilia’s.[2]
Have you ever noticed a married couple who enjoy being together? They may not be doing anything special or even speaking. Just being with each other is enough. Why? Close to each other, they feel loved, safe, and content. Storms may rage about them, but they are at peace.
When I think of Thanksgiving, I remember most fondly be content in family gatherings, the extended family gatherings. The ones where you have to borrow tables or make tables out of plywood and saw horses. The peace we experience in family life can help us understand being content in God’s presence. I know family life isn’t always peaceful and happy, our lives in general can be troubling, making us long for peace and security. But how can we find it when life’s challenges beset us?
Consider St. Cecilia and the mother in our first reading, their trust and faith. Entrusting and encouraging their husband and family to the promises of God. Nothing in this world can compare to the promises He has made for His faithful, even in the midst of this world’s complete insanity and allurements.
Let’s face it, we are all human beings and thus not quite perfect, yet created in the likeness and image of God. He promised he would always be with us, in the midst of our struggles, in the midst of our failings, in the midst of our joy, right there in the midst of our family gatherings. God chose us, to be his adopted family through His son, Jesus Christ and invites us to this Thanksgiving (Eucharistic) table, where He nourishes us to go bear fruit that will last.
Pope Francis’ tweet this morning was great food for thought as we gear up for our Thanksgiving celebrations with family and friends. He tweeted: “When we encounter others do we bring them the warmth of charity, or do we stay closed up and warm only ourselves before our fireplace?”
We and Annunciation Catholic Church wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving and may you be content in the presence of family and friends as God is in the midst of your gatherings.
[1] Who is Cecilia? What is She? by
Wendell Howard. https://www.stthomas.edu/media/catholicstudies/center/logosjournal/archives/2015vol18/18-3-Howard.pdf
[2] Spiritual
Marriage: Sexual Abstinence in Medieval Wedlock by Dilan Elliot
No comments:
Post a Comment