Find your cause for celebration

“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.”

—– Nikos Kazantzakis

The official portrait of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin (Saint Theodora).

I love the above quote, especially in today’s political milieu.

Just the other day, these eyes of mine glanced upon the list of petitions that people write in the intention book at the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

What are people musing about with this Saint of God these days? A brother sick with cancer; someone seeking employment; a special needs baby; continued healing of a family; someone who wants to have a baby; for their children who have left the church; to return to the church; to return to the faith; someone with lupus; just had surgery; who is ill; a brain tumor; as she celebrates her birthday!

While all of these discussions caught my eye, that last one really stood out. Mostly, people pour out their heart and soul for healing of some kind, either for themselves, but mostly for someone they love and cherish.

So, when I see something like … ‘as she celebrates her birthday’ … it jumps off the page, and it changes my eyes, which see reality.

Reality is about healing and it is about celebration. Our esteemed Saint needed healing and celebration in her life just as we do, perhaps even more so.

Her health was fragile and delicate most days, but she found the energy, spirit and cause for celebration as often as she could … and she continues to call on us to do the same.

And so, like Kazantzakis, and like Mother Theodore, “Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.”