Michaelmas Embertide, Wednesday

a poem of mine....

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted anything…the MFA program has begun and I am enjoying it, despite some anxiety. Hopefully, now that I’ve gotten into a routine, I’ll be back to posting here on a regular basis.

Today is an Ember Day. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, these penitential days are no longer widely practiced by Catholics, but they should be. Here’s Wikipedia on the Ember Days. And here's an article from Catholic Culture.

The Michaelmas Ember Days fall between the Exultation of the Cross (September 14) and Michaelmas, a term that we don’t really use anymore (hmm, there seems to be a theme here of things we don’t really do anymore). Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael and all the Archangels, is celebrated by Roman Catholics on September 29. In the past, Catholics took their feast days seriously. They only did the necessary work (milking cows, etc) and spent the day celebrating, eating, drinking, dancing, singing….

But, since a feast is always better after a fast, the Church gives us these penitential days to fast, pray, and give alms. The Ember Days are celebrated four times a year, one for each season. Michaelmas Ember Days are set aside in autumn, a time when we can thank God for the harvest.

Today, maybe, fast from dessert or social media or cussing. Drop a few dollars in that homeless guy’s cup or donate to your favorite charity. Pray for those you love and those you don’t love, for our country, for priests and soldiers and nurses and teachers, for all those who’ve lost loved ones, their livelihoods, their hope. Remember to thank God for all the wonderful gifts in your life, for even amidst suffering their is beauty and joy and goodness. Let someone know just how wonderful you think they are, how funny or sweet, how thoughtful, how steady and reliable. Be specific! Read some poetry.

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Here’s a poem of mine that appeared in Lydwine Journal. Enjoy!