A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
The seasons are in a state of rapid transformation these days, which is probably why these weeks in Michigan leading up to the Autumnal Equinox are some of my favorite. Autumnal at night (40s!) and summerish in mid-afternoon (80!), we get to experience two seasons in a single day. The beautiful signs of transition are all around us, most notably the migratory flight formation drills of the now-adult Canadian geese. As the mother of young girls, I cannot seem to get this song out of my head these days, and now it's in yours, too. You're welcome.
As a compensation, here again is my go-to essay on the symbolism of the seasons and life, which Fall brings about "with crackling clarity."
"Brothers and sisters: Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God." --1 COR 4:1-5
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Sanctoral: Blessed Claudio Granzotto, Italy +1947
Human: British Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, with 102 Pilgrims who hoped to settle in America– 1620
A decree was issued in Germany requiring all Jews over the age of six to wear the Star of David– 1941
394 AD – in the Battle of the Frigidus (at the foot of the Eastern Alps), Theodosius the Great defeated the forces of the usurper Eugenius (who died), for the last time uniting the Roman Empire. Arbogast and Nicomachus Flavianus the Elder committed suicide. The battle was one of the largest in the history of civil wars between the rulers of the Western and Eastern Empire and contributed to strengthening Christianity in the Empire.
The Writer's Almanac edition today.
Natural: Jeff Williams returned to Earth after working 172 days on the International Space Station, thereby making a cumulative total of 534 days in space over several missions - the longest time yet recorded for NASA astronauts.– 2016. Believe it or not, today's astronauts stuck in space are not the first ones to be stuck in such a predicament!
Italian: Brindisi (toast)
Quote: "It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things." —Henry David Thoreau
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