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 of Flue is 50 years old farming his own land, the father of ten lovely children. Judge of his homeland , a war veteran , he sees and senses with a sad heart how disagreements are on the rise , the flame of a civil war is already blazing in the eyes of people , a civil war that is going to cause newer wounds . He face an incomprehensible , aimless massacre, and he has to make a decision. Who can I go to -is he asking with Saint Peter- the answer is simple- You have the words of eternal life says Nicholas and following the example of Saint Peter decides in favour of Jesus. His decision that instead the battlefield he goes into the wilderness to be a hermit, he talks it over with his wife , who not only understands and accepts her husband’s decision but she herself makes a simple , full-length, thick hermit’s robe out of frieze . Saint Nicholas on 16 October 1467 , before winter sets in, says good-bye to his family and friends and following the example of Moses climbs up among God’s mountains .
REFLECTION:
One needs great-great humility to realise that we are not capable to answer the questions , the worries that are threatening to annihilate our people, gorselves , the huge waves that are tossing us around like a walnut shell , our people, our world we are unable to stop, to direct. Humility and courage are needed that following the example of the apostles who are drifting on the stormy sea , to cry out to Christ : save us our Lord because otherwise will be lost. The greatness of Saint Nicholas is that aged 50 , he has no more answers for the emerging problems, tensions that he is not capable to stop either by the sword nor with the wisdom of a judge the fight of the elements surpassing his strength , the temper that is tearing apart people’s heart and for that reason he flees to God. . He believes that God can be addressed and he also believes that the living God will speak , because He is the love giving an answer to our questions . Is there enough humility, wisdom in me that I talk over my own life’s worries , the problems of my people and the world with my Creator , to hear, accept His tender, kind-hearted , wise answers?
Let us pray:
Our Lord , our God You call us as well with tender goodness :"“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The many worries, anxieties wear us out , give us strength that with the intercession of Saint Nicholas of Flue we also look for strength , consolation , wisdom that gives us answers to all questions by a pure light from You! Our Lord , we are coming to You , humbly sit at Your feet so You may console us, find a healing balm for our wounds , an answer to our questions , that we always look for peace in our battles coming from You , You are our redeeming God !
So that our petitions may be heard so 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.
