Search
-
The feast of St. Nicholas is nearly upon us and so we are reminded once again of the generosity of this legendary saint of the church.
We all know the story of how he secretly managed to drop bags of gold coins through an open window into stockings hung by the fire. This gold was then used as dowries for three poor girls.
St. Nicholas’ benevolence has been told and retold for centuries and inspires us to do good for others as he did. He is often called a “wonderworker” for obvious reasons, including miracles attributed to his intercession, as well as very human acts of charity and kindness accomplished during his lifetime.
What would it take for each of us in the Eparchy of Parma to be called a wonderworker?
Granted, we shouldn’t accomplish good deeds for praise and glory in this life, but I certainly hope to be “St. John the wonderworker,” someday after my passing.
How do we humbly seek this title while still here on Earth?
We become wonderworkers by being charitable to those around us, be they behind a cash register at the mall, the colleague next to us in the lunch line, or the nervous driver on the highway.
We also become wonderworkers by showing Christ to everyone we meet. This isn’t necessarily done by becoming a street evangelist, though it could, but rather by allowing the light of Christ to shine through us, so that others can see how we are different and set apart from this world, thus allowing them to see Jesus in us. A desire may form in them to have what we have, and seek out our Lord.
In this season of warm and cozy feelings and thoughts, let’s dig deep and find ways that we can be hospitable and extra charitable to others, and then let’s continue doing that all year long.
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker pray for us. Happy feast Dec. 6!
As published in Horizons, Dec. 2, 2018.
Sign up for the Horizons e-newsletter.
