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When my grandfathers finally started opening up about what they experienced in WW2, I was all ears. There was always such pain and sorrow in what they told, with one of my grandfathers often shedding tears while he talked.
My grandfathers survived the war, but I know they carried with them the memories of their lost buddies and comrades. I’m sure they asked themselves many times, “Why did I get to live and not them?”
I’m older now and can see that the loss of those they served with was a heavy cross for them to bear and I’ve always known that the least I could do for my grandfathers was to always be grateful for what they did and for what their fallen comrades did to preserve our freedom.
The news often shows groups of spoiled, ungrateful, egotistical people screaming about how horrible America is and there can be a tendency to see these very purposefully selected groups as representing most Americans.
I know better, though. Most Americans do value our country and are deeply grateful and indebted to our fallen service members and are moved by their sacrifice.
May we remember our fallen heroes today, Catholic Pilgrims—true heroes that only get one day of honor and not a month of hedonistic self-serving adulation.
I pray that we are always humbled and grateful for those that are willing to lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves.
May God give them rest and peace.
Have a blessed Memorial Day.
This past Wednesday, my Jeep’s battery died and I was super frustrated because I had things to get to. My son had soccer practice and since it’s still been in the 100s here, we were going to attempt riding our bikes to his practice, all while carrying a soccer ball, water bottles, and his other gear. There was also a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament at our base chapel and I wanted to go but didn’t think it would work given the lack of car situation, the heat, and all the things we had to carry to practice. A friend from church called me to ask about something else and she asked if I was coming to the holy hour. I explained my dilemma and she said very matter-of-factly, “I’ll come get you, we will make it work. It will be good for you to have some time with Jesus.” She was right. The hour with Christ was just what I needed. At one point, right before Benediction, she turned around and smiled a big smile at me and whispered, “It’s good you are here.” In today’s Gospel reading, I’m impressed by the people who bring the deaf and mute man to Christ. We see that a lot in the Bible: Someone has a bodily sickness and they seek healing for their loved one. And we would most likely do the same if we had a loved one that needed to be restored to bodily health. But, how often do we bring people to Christ that need Him spiritually? We forget the soul needs healing just as much. It’s harder to help people, though, because they are less willing to be helped spiritually than they are bodily. Nevertheless, we still need to try and be ready to “come and get” them as my friend did for me. Even if you are as healthy as can be in your body, Catholic Pilgrims, we still need time with Christ. Our soul always needs Him. Have a blessed Sunday. *Picture is an old Holy Water font in Mission San Francisco de Solano.
Continue ReadingI was listening to a song the other day that reminds me of my maternal grandma. As I was thinking of her, I wondered, “What trait did I take from her? Does a part of her shine through me?” That got me thinking of my grandparents and the best parts of them that I have tried to incorporate into my life. From my maternal grandmother, I got my feistiness and love of laughing and being silly. From my paternal grandmother, I got my romantic side and love of the arts. From her, I have learned to feel deeply and seek beauty. From my maternal grandfather, I got my hard work ethic and love of simplicity. He also gave me the realization that we always need to make time for those we love. From my paternal grandfather, I got my understanding that blood and is blood and you fight for your family. I, also, got from him a bit of a rebel heart. God makes each one of us unique. It’s what I love about the saints. They weren’t lemmings, they didn’t try to be just like the crowd. They are all different individuals with different paths, but all the same goal—to be the unique person God created them to be. I’m not going to look just like my grandparents, but I have taken the parts of them that are the absolute best and tried to incorporate those character traits into my life. It’s my way of keeping them alive in my life. Living out the virtues is one of the ways we keep Christ alive in us, Catholic Pilgrims. He is every virtue. When we attempt to incorporate Him into our lives, we will still be us, only better. Have a great Friday and a blessed weekend.
Continue ReadingI’ve been learning a lot about false humility the past couple of years through reading the works of different saints. Most of us, especially those of us that have committed grave sins, try to live out the virtue of humility by living out this false sense of it. “I’m just the worst. I don’t deserve Jesus’ love or forgiveness.” “There’s no hope for someone as bad as me. I’m just a lost cause.” (Sigh) “I’ve done so many bad things, I can’t even begin to ask Jesus into my life.” “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” That last one is Peter after doubting Jesus when He told Peter to keep fishing after a fruitless night.” I love Jesus’ response. He doesn’t play along with the pity party. He doesn’t try to overly console Peter. He just says, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” God already knows all we’ve done. It’s no surprise to Him. He didn’t come to save people with just some minor sins. He’s not so weak in power that He’d ever say, “Oh, boy, sorry, pal. Your sins are just too big for me to forgive. Guess you’re out of luck.” We aren’t honoring God with false humility. We think we are, though. The I’m-so-bad-I’ll remove-myself-from-God schtick doesn’t give God any glory or show your littleness. In fact, it says, “I’m beyond your help, God.” Don’t be afraid to come to Christ, Catholic Pilgrims, with all your hurt and all your sins that need forgiven. He’s not going to turn you away. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Thursday. *Picture is from the Sea of Galilee.
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