They say that pessimists see the cup as half empty, and optimists see the cup as half full. My team hasn't even seen the cup. A sports joke.
In a recent homily Father Brendan McGuire put it this way: "Stuff happens in our lives; we don't know why it happens the way it happens. Stuff comes at us and our life can turn upside down and things can go all wrong. Often there is an anger that rises up inside of us; 'Why me? Why my family? Why now?'"
McGuire challenges us with these words: "but the Lord asks us not to stay in that place of anger; He asks us to come back and to allow the gratitude to take over. He asks us to come to that place of gratitude and thankfulness and to realize there is so much more to be grateful for than what has happened recently."
We need to spend time in our day when we allow the Lord, "to recalibrate our day; it is there where the Lord will help us see how much more there is to be thankful for than what has gone wrong," McGuire says.
It is difficult at times to be cheerful and grateful when sickness and pain visit us. Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon is such a place. As we park our cars, access the long skywalk to the hospital area, and face all the questions the doctors or the cancer center may answer for us, we may feel our faith challenged.
Father Nestor Gregoire used that precise image in a homily recently and added that through the many times he has entered that hospital and walked that corridor, he has always been filled with the hymn "Be Not Afraid" "I go before you always; come follow me, and I will give you rest."
And the Lord sends us other messengers of hope. Among the most recent we find Brother Andre who was credited with many miracles and spent much of his time receiving guests and visiting the sick and afflicted. Through Brother Andre's intercessory prayers to St Joseph, many healings and cures occurred.
Indeed, Christians around the world and Canadiansin particular have a great cause to celebrate. Brother Andre of Montreal was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church on October 17, 2010. This poor, semi-literate orphan whose job for many years was to answer the door was chosen as God's special vessel of grace.
I include the following Novena prayer to Saint Andre of Montreal: (A novena prayer is said for nine consecutive days for some special intention)God our Father, you gave Brother Andrea of Montreal, your humble servant, a great devotion to St Joseph and a special commitment to the sick and the needy. May the example of his life and ministry inspire us to ever-greater works of charity, in generous service to our brothers and sisters in need. Give us the strength to surrender ourselves to your will, and to be instruments of your loving mercy. Help us to follow Brother Andre's example of prayer and love, so that we too may come into your glory. Through the intercession of Brother Andre, grant the favour I now present (make your request) Through Christ our Lord. Amen
"A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer" -Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
