What is Singles' Day?

Have you heard of Singles' Day?

Singles' Day started in China among university students who were tired of feeling less than because they were not in a relationship on campus. The holiday celebrates both singles and people who are dating, and takes place  on November 11th because the ones in 11/11 can represent people who are single or alone. The holiday has become increasingly popular not just in China, but across Asia and worldwide.

Now, Singles' Day is most definitely a secular holiday. And I was thinking, this seems like a great holiday, especially for everyone on CatholicMatch. But how can we celebrate it and add a little bit of our faith into it?

Because here's the deal, I think we should be celebrating singles, and the single state of life, especially as Catholics. There can be so much emphasis put on the beauty of marriage from the pulpit, from our parish groups, and even from the Catholic books and blogs we read. And that emphasis can makes singles feel less than, or even "not a good enough Catholic" if they aren't married.

A quick reality check: you don't have to be married or dating anyone to live a beautiful, wholesome life. You can reach Heaven no matter your relationship status (check out our list of single saints). And often, many people are able to serve God and change the lives of others in profound ways because they are single and are not responsible for a family or a spouse.

So, let's celebrate this holiday, but let's tie it to our faith.

I did some research, and  found some interesting Catholic facts about November 11th. Did you know that....

• In 1993, on November 11th,  Saint John Paul II was hospitalized for two days for a fractured shoulder.
• In 1215, on November 11th, 4th Lateran Council was convened and met for the first time. This was the council where Transubstantiation was defined.
• And recurring every year on November 11th is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. He was a soldier who famously sliced his cloak in half to share with a beggar. After converting to Christianity, he left the army and became a monk and a hermit. His piety was well-known, however, and the people of Tours tricked him into becoming their bishop because he was not interested.

Now, while all of these are interesting facts; they pale in comparison to the connections I found in the first reading for November 11th this year. That's what I want to focus on today.

The story of the oil and flour bins that never run dry

This year on November 11th, we read about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. Elijah was a bold prophet. God has been feeding him manna via a raven, but has now told him to start walking. When Elijah arrives at the city gates, he sees a woman who is a widow gathering sticks. He asks her for some water and bread. She says she can get him some water, but that she only has a tiny bit of flour and oil left. In fact, the reason she is gathering sticks is because she plans to bake one last cake and last meal for her and her son, and then they will die. (The city is in a drought, and there is not much food to be had for anyone).

Elijah tells her "Don't be afraid." And then instructs her to bring him a cake first and then make some food for herself and her son because the Lord God will not let her flour or oil run out until there's food again in the city. She does what Elijah says, and everything turns out as he predicted.

While reading this, I was so struck by God's faithfulness. Elijah was doing God's will, preaching to the people who needed to hear God's word. And God took care of Elijah's physical needs, even though He did it in unexpected ways. First through manna and ravens, and then through a foreigner, who was a woman and a widow. This meant that she was on the outskirts of society, and yet it was through her that God provided the food Elijah needed to keep going.

The widow, on the other hand, was preparing for death. She had run out of food for herself and her son, and was gathering sticks for their last fire and meal. God provided for her in the form of a foreigner who asked her for the last of her food. Would I have given the last of my food to some man traveling through my city from a different country? Even if he told me God was going to give me enough food to live on? I honestly don't know. I would hope so, but I'm not sure I would have.

How does this all relate to Singles' Day?

Well, Elijah (to the best of our knowledge) was single, as so was the widow and her son. Not only did they trust God completely, they were heroically generous with each other and with Him. And then add to that the fact that the widow is recorded picking up some sticks for her last meal. And Singles' Day is often called Bare Stick day, because the elevens (11/11) look like sticks.

Today, let's celebrate the generosity and witness of all single men and women. Thank you to singles everywhere for all you do for God and your neighbor. Thank you to everyone who volunteers at the parish, who takes care of a sick relative, who lends a helping hand to the people they see struggling around them. Thank you for your presence in your friends' lives, your families' lives, your coworkers' lives. Thank you. Your lives and witness are so important. And even if no one else seems to notice, know that God sees your efforts, and He does not abandon His children.