The Seasons: A Poem

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Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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You have the Power to Change the World

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Does what I do in work, in relationships, in writing, in anything make any difference? Does it in any
way change the world? As one among over 7 billion people on this planet, does what I do even matter? Have you ever had those thoughts rush through your head? Has that nasty doubt plagued you over the years? If so, this post is for you...

While listening to The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer I was answered in the affirmative, what people do matters! All of the major players of this drama of human history made a difference for good or ill in the world. The repercussions of their words and actions are felt even to this day.

However, I'm not a world leader and I'm guessing you aren't either. What about something more grounded and local? 

Around 1999 I was working as an electrician. We were working on a remodeling job at Port Columbus (Now John Glenn) International Airport. During my lunch break one day I was "prompted" by the Holy Spirit to walk out onto the concourse because there was a priest out there. It was one of those promptings where if this from the Holy Spirit, it will be amazing but if it's from my own imagination, I'll feel like an idiot. I hesitated, made excuses, but I went anyway. Sure enough, there was a priest in his Roman Collar sitting, reading the paper. I approached timidly...

I said, "I'm sorry to bother you, Father. I just wanted to ask you to pray for my brother who is a seminarian."

The priest responded, "Oh, sure! Where is your brother?"

"He's a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum here in Columbus," I responded.

"Really!" exclaimed the priest, "what is his name?"

"Bill," I replied, "Bill Hahn."

The priest laughed, "Oh, I know Bill. I'm the Rector at the Josephinum. I'm Father Olmsted."

We talked a little more and he thanked me for introducing myself. I didn't give much more thought about it other than that I need to listen more to those weird promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Later my brother told me that Father Thomas Olmsted, upon returning from his trip, called a meeting with the seminarians in formation. He stated that he was going to allow seminarians from that point forward (after a year or two of formation) to begin wearing cassocks. Why? Because he had been recognized in the airport as priest and saw the importance of the men standing out in "uniform" so that others could approach them for prayer, confession, etc. I'd like to think that my yes to the Holy Spirit helped bring about that change. (Father Olmsted later became Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, AZ. without my help.)

Shortly before this time I read a book that changed the course of my life forever. I've written about it elsewhere. This book changed not only my life but the life of my wife, our children, and countless others. This change was made possible because the author said yes to the promptings of God to write the book.

Yet this post isn't about world leaders, me, or the author of the book. It's about saying yes to God. Today, the Church presents to us the Gospel reading concerning the Annunciation - Mary's yes to the Lord. This is such a powerful reading, such a momentous event, such a powerful reminder that the Church presents it for our consideration twice in the span of 13 days (Feast of the Immaculate Conception & Today).

You and I DO make a difference, we do matter, we do change the course of human history with each yes with each fiat we utter to the Lord! How would the lives of the seminarians been affected if I would have listened to my excuses and said no? How would Nicole and I ever have met, got married, had children, etc., if the author of the book had said no? How different would the world look today if Mary had said no?

Both our yeses and noes have the power to make a difference each and every day. St. Bernard, in a beautiful sermon found in the Liturgy of Hours, presents a beautiful, poetic plea to the Virgin Mary to say yes to the Lord. All the saints and angels too implore you and me to say yes as well. It is with each yes that we make a difference, it is with each yes that we change the world. Don't let the world, the flesh, the devil, or your own imaginings tell you any different!


My new book of cryptogram puzzles "Secret Messages from the Saints" is available now.
  
Click here to read more from James M. Hahn - Blog - Books - Fiction

Check out his ongoing memoir about life with his special-needs daughter.

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