GO SAINTS, GO!

Being a native from New Orleans, I am familiar with the song, "when the saints go marching in..."  Perhaps you are also familiar with the popular tune? In Nawlin’s, as we pronounce "New Orleans" we are familiar with the saints on the football field and in the hallowed field of the cemetery. 

As a boy, during this time of the year we would visit the grave sites of our relatives to paint the tombs, clear the weeds, bring flowers, candles and offer prayers.  We would also picnic on this sacred ground with poor-boy sandwiches, tasty local snacks and homemade root beer. The grand Louisiana oak trees stretched their two, three and five-hundred year old branches over our heads with canopy’s of lush foliage speckled with gray Spanish moss.

In the Christian life, we too are stretched, as we reach for the eternity that is within. The month of November reminds us to stretch, not with our arms or standing on our tippy toes, but stretch with the heart that dreams! The American Indian, Alaskan Native and Black Catholic communities offer us a glimpse of this "spiritual-stretch-of-the-heart" through their traditions, stories and myths. 

November directs us to the saints, sinners and all people from different cultures and nations.  Creator-Grandfather speaks to us through the beauty of the sky, a stream and the majestic flight of the eagle. God, with His many faces of black, white and red frees and breaks the chains of slavery and lifts our spirits through song, music and dance.  Jesus comes to preach the Good News to the poor, the outcast and those who suffer injustice. The Savior establishes a new relationship between God and His People and calls all to His new teaching of Life and Resurrection.

If we are willing to see with another’s eyes and embrace their world, we would then experience something new and beautiful within ourselves to share with our global family.

The month of November leads us to focus on all saints and all souls, all traditions and stories, all cultures and nations, all gifts and beauty.  We do not follow a dirge of mediocrity but a richness of spirit that unfolds the revelation of God for each of us.  Yes, let us sing, "When the saints go marching in. . . We are in that number, when the saints go marching in. . . ." GO SAINTS, GO!