Autumn Leaves and Winter Coats

Autumn’s beauty endures for now,
Strong sunlight bringing out the contrasting colors
for all to enjoy.
Though the leaves will soon meet their fate,
the trees will weather the winter winds
secure in their cloak of time-tested bark.
It’s time to look for our coats too.

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are.

As the bright colors of autumn beckon us outdoors,
library chairs and tables will grow empty for awhile.
There will be enough time later when winter snows fall
to spend hours buried in books.

But for now, color and crisp air await us
beyond the window,
beyond the door,
beyond city streets noisy with sirens in the night.

May autumn refresh you with its many lessons,
especially that change can be very beautiful
in nature and in our own lives.

Words That Give Life

For the next few weeks, a Catholic Synod at Rome will reflect on “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.” This seems a most appropriate time to be grateful for the power of Sacred Scripture in our lives.

I am sure that all of us can think of one or more biblical words, images or stories which have entered our lives at important moments.
And, as they say, we have been different people because of that experience.

This is a good week to think about that Gospel word of Jesus which calls us to new life, or that Old Testament psalm which invites us to praise the Lord for all that we have received.

Let those who have ears to hear, listen!