Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Biography:
Saint Nicholas’ decision is incomprehensible to many people. What does he do in the quiet, solitude in the desert of seclusion? Fasting, praying and atoning for the sins of his nation? His friends and contemporaries have many questions, so they pay close attention, watching and constantly monitoring him all the time. Nicholas’ holiness and strength take his friends and neighbours by surprise, and gradually, what they see convinces them. So, they band together and in the depths of the valley, beside the hermitage build a chapel. Upon inspecting, the local bishop consecrates the chapel beside the hermit’s abode and it thus becomes a haven for those seeking direction. So begins an endless pilgrimage to the valley, so that not only Nicholas’ contemporaries, but people today too can experience God’s loving , peaceful presence.
Reflection:
A man of God is not a broken village water tank, from which the gracious gift from heaven disappears without a trace, but rather, a life-giving, nourishing spring for the spiritual life. from whose depths surfaces pure wisdom, a healing ointment for the wounds sought by so many, for which people gladly journey from far afield. Saint Nicolas was also sought out by many, yet he didn’t just say kindly things to people: he showed people the consequences of decisions. He wasn’t alone in peering into the world of the condemned, but rather, with the grace of God, he revealed the horrors of hell to his brethren living in sin. We are not bad, but we often stumble about in the dark and inevitably trip on unseen things, and causing pain to ourselves and others. God’s presence brings light and illumination to our lives, gently showing and clarifying for us the connections, relevances , deeper meaning and His purpose in events and circumstances. It is much easier to come to the right decisions when seeing more clearly by the heavenly light.
Let us Pray:
Lord our God, it is so good to believe that no life condemned to be swept to an eternal dead end, that no fate is irretrievably sealed, that with You there is always a way forward. You our Creator like a kindly, living GPS , You eternally show us the way though our own conscience, and through those who serve in your light. Give us strength that, through the intercession of Saint Nicholas of Flue we never lose heart, that we find answers to our questions by Your holy light, and that above all we find You, for You are our redeeming God: the only solace for quenching the thirst and the only comfort for our souls yearning for the infinity. Give us strength and humility to make the right choices, in accordance with Your wise directions, and to lead each other and our nation along the right path by Your pure light.
So that our petitions maybe heard we pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
