Once upon a time, God decided to become visible to a king and a peasant and sent an angel to inform them of the blessed event. "O King," the angel announced. "God has deigned to be revealed to you in whatever manner you wish. In what form do you want God to appear?" Seated pompously on his throne and surrounded by awestruck subjects, the king royally proclaimed: "How else would I wish to see God, save in majesty and power? Show God to us in the full glory of power." God granted his wish and appeared as a bolt of lightening that instantly pulverized the king and his court. Nothing, not even a cinder, remained.

The angel then manifested herself to the peasant, saying: God deigns to be revealed to you in whatever manner you desire. How do you wish to see God? Scratching her head and puzzling a long while, the peasant finally said: "I am a poor woman and not worthy to see God face to face. But if it is God’s will to be revealed to me, let it be in those things with which I am familiar. Let me see God in the earth I plough, the water I drink, and the food I eat. Let me see the presence of God in the faces of my family, neighbors, and –if God deems it as good for myself and others—even in my own reflection as well." Robert Wicks

As summer, the season of fruitfulness, draws to an end and we journey toward fall, the season of surrender, what light has grown in your heart? What fruitfulness of dreams, of hopes and of passions will light your way this fall? What wavering flame or inner fire will carry you through the transformation of the next season of your life? Take an inventory of the last three months—where have you cooperated with God in life-giving activities and been God’s hands and feet and where have you refused to use your gifts for fear of being unworthy for the building of God’s reign on earth? Remember, the work is God’s. God only asks us to do our part in being God’s body for the life of the world.

Barbara McGrattan