St. Nicholas, Bishop and Pastor, is honored in the West and East, was Bishop of Myra, part of present day eastern Turkey. The opening prayer from the Byzantine Liturgy commends Nicholas for his pastor zeal, "O Father and Pontiff Nicholas, the holiness of your life was set before your flock as a rule of faith ... an example of meekness and teaching of temperance." In the document on the role of Bishops, from the Second Vatican Council, Bishops are exhorted to be one wit the flock that they serve. The emphasis of course is on the serving.
The best known story of Nicholas is his providing a dowry for the daughters of a poor man in his village. Traditionally children would set their shoes outside their rooms on the eve of the 5th of December, and find them filled with candy and small toys on the feast of Nicholas. Bad children would receive coal in their shoes. What this significant about this feast, and to be sure about this man, is his self-less giving to all who are in his charge.
The Gospel for today, from St. Matthew, reports the healing of some blind men who follow after Jesus. Jesus poses the question to them, 'Are you sure I can do this for you?' They assure him that they believe in him. Not only are their eyes opened but their hearts are as well. Holy men and women, like Nicholas, are open to the needs and concerns of their brothers and sisters, and respond with compassion and kindness. We recognize in folks like Nicholas a sense of humility which allows their lives to become instruments of Christ in the world.
We are not all called to be Mary and Joseph on the journey of salvation. Last night it bothered my to see a mother and son leaving a store not properly dressed for the frigid temperature. My sister's family could use some financial help this season, and I worry a lot about what our children see in the world around them. The challenge we have is to be the face of Christ in the world around us. Our ministry is to unbind one another and se them free.
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