Day 52, forum post [F]
Thought for the Day, Plans for the Month
Today, Day 52 of our expedition, is Tuesday, April 27. Within the Catholic Church, the patron saint for the day is Saint Zita. I believe the life of this saint has a lesson for all of us, regardless of our faith.
Saint Zita was born in the 13th century and became a servant to a wealthy family in Lucca, Italy, at the age of 12. Unlike many saints, she is not venerated for any miracles or for the courage of martyrdom, but merely for a life of devotion and service. Zita attended Mass every morning, waking early just to do so before her daily duties in her master's household. She worked diligently, which early on caused resentment and persecution from the other servants, but she remained a steadfast worker, gentle of heart and sweet of voice, never reproachful. Eventually, she won her fellow servants over and they ceased their torments. She was placed in charge of the household, which increased in wealth even as the poor were fed on their doorstep. She became the intercessor between the servants and their hot-tempered master. She served in the same household for 48 years, dying at the age 60 a dear and respected member of the household.
What can we learn from Saint Zita?
First, we can learn that daily devotion to faith is still possible even in our busy lives, if we are but willing. Many of us find the time to watch movies, read, get together with others for card games or chess, and other hobbies to give our minds some much-needed rest. We find time to socialize with friends or spend time with that special someone. We find time to spar, work out, jog, or otherwise keep our physical bodies fit. But many of us, if asked to do the same for our spiritual lives as we do for our intellectual, social and physical lives insist we do not have the time and so our spiritual muscles atrophy. Take time today to devote a few moments to prayer and meditation.
Second, we can learn that there is dignity and honor in the most menial of tasks. Many of the expedition will soon be called to help out in the kitchens. Many of those will feel that it is beneath them to do so. I would argue that blessing others' lived with good food is never a menial task, but a great calling, deserving of our diligence.
Third, we can learn perseverance in the face of adversity. Zita's work ethic never flagged, even in the face of her fellow-servants' jibes and even assaults. When we do good work, we will not always be greeted with gratitude, but the work is worth doing.
I would like to encourage everyone to find the servants in their midst and thank them for the blessings they have provided-- the kitchen staff who prepares our meals; the quiet workers who gather coffee mugs and make sure they are clean, who sweep floors, wipe down lab tables, make sure the coffeemaker is ready in the morning; the "muscle" who, uncomplaining, shift boxes, set up shelving, move furniture; those in the infirmary who bring meals, help patients to the bathroom and clean up after those who don't make it, who sort and organize medicines and supplies. Their work is worthy of your gratitude and your respect.
In looking at the calendar, I note that we have missed several holidays during the attack and recovery period. While I am certain the faithful observed these in private, we have not had the opportunity for a public observation. Additionally, there are a few holy days still coming up. I would, therefore, like to schedule times to observe Hanuman Jayanti, Pesach/Passover, Easter, Baisakhi, the beginning of Ridvan, and the non-religious day of remembrance Yom HaSho'ah. I will be coming up with a schedule to do so shortly. I would like to hear from those belonging to the faiths represented on their preferences in these matters.
Coming up, we have:
On day 54-- Thurs, April 29-- the Ninth day of Ridvan
On days 55 & 56-- Fri, April 30 & Sat, May 1-- Beltane
On day 57-- Sun, May 2-- Mawlid an Nabi
Also on day 57-- Sun, May 2-- Ridvan ends
On day 59-- Tues, May 4-- Vasakha Puja
On day 64-- Sun, May 9-- Lag B'Omer
On day 75-- Thurs, May 20-- Ascension Day
On day 78-- Sun, May 23-- Declaration of the B'ab
On days 81 & 82-- Weds, May 26 & Thurs, May 27-- Shavuot
--
Connall Gilchrist
Expedition Chaplain
Today, Day 52 of our expedition, is Tuesday, April 27. Within the Catholic Church, the patron saint for the day is Saint Zita. I believe the life of this saint has a lesson for all of us, regardless of our faith.
Saint Zita was born in the 13th century and became a servant to a wealthy family in Lucca, Italy, at the age of 12. Unlike many saints, she is not venerated for any miracles or for the courage of martyrdom, but merely for a life of devotion and service. Zita attended Mass every morning, waking early just to do so before her daily duties in her master's household. She worked diligently, which early on caused resentment and persecution from the other servants, but she remained a steadfast worker, gentle of heart and sweet of voice, never reproachful. Eventually, she won her fellow servants over and they ceased their torments. She was placed in charge of the household, which increased in wealth even as the poor were fed on their doorstep. She became the intercessor between the servants and their hot-tempered master. She served in the same household for 48 years, dying at the age 60 a dear and respected member of the household.
What can we learn from Saint Zita?
First, we can learn that daily devotion to faith is still possible even in our busy lives, if we are but willing. Many of us find the time to watch movies, read, get together with others for card games or chess, and other hobbies to give our minds some much-needed rest. We find time to socialize with friends or spend time with that special someone. We find time to spar, work out, jog, or otherwise keep our physical bodies fit. But many of us, if asked to do the same for our spiritual lives as we do for our intellectual, social and physical lives insist we do not have the time and so our spiritual muscles atrophy. Take time today to devote a few moments to prayer and meditation.
Second, we can learn that there is dignity and honor in the most menial of tasks. Many of the expedition will soon be called to help out in the kitchens. Many of those will feel that it is beneath them to do so. I would argue that blessing others' lived with good food is never a menial task, but a great calling, deserving of our diligence.
Third, we can learn perseverance in the face of adversity. Zita's work ethic never flagged, even in the face of her fellow-servants' jibes and even assaults. When we do good work, we will not always be greeted with gratitude, but the work is worth doing.
I would like to encourage everyone to find the servants in their midst and thank them for the blessings they have provided-- the kitchen staff who prepares our meals; the quiet workers who gather coffee mugs and make sure they are clean, who sweep floors, wipe down lab tables, make sure the coffeemaker is ready in the morning; the "muscle" who, uncomplaining, shift boxes, set up shelving, move furniture; those in the infirmary who bring meals, help patients to the bathroom and clean up after those who don't make it, who sort and organize medicines and supplies. Their work is worthy of your gratitude and your respect.
In looking at the calendar, I note that we have missed several holidays during the attack and recovery period. While I am certain the faithful observed these in private, we have not had the opportunity for a public observation. Additionally, there are a few holy days still coming up. I would, therefore, like to schedule times to observe Hanuman Jayanti, Pesach/Passover, Easter, Baisakhi, the beginning of Ridvan, and the non-religious day of remembrance Yom HaSho'ah. I will be coming up with a schedule to do so shortly. I would like to hear from those belonging to the faiths represented on their preferences in these matters.
Coming up, we have:
On day 54-- Thurs, April 29-- the Ninth day of Ridvan
On days 55 & 56-- Fri, April 30 & Sat, May 1-- Beltane
On day 57-- Sun, May 2-- Mawlid an Nabi
Also on day 57-- Sun, May 2-- Ridvan ends
On day 59-- Tues, May 4-- Vasakha Puja
On day 64-- Sun, May 9-- Lag B'Omer
On day 75-- Thurs, May 20-- Ascension Day
On day 78-- Sun, May 23-- Declaration of the B'ab
On days 81 & 82-- Weds, May 26 & Thurs, May 27-- Shavuot
--
Connall Gilchrist
Expedition Chaplain