MEMORIAL DAY-SAINT BERNARD
Mark, Chapter 6, Verse 49-50
49 But when they saw him walking on
the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 50 They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with
them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
Christ compels us to be not afraid. Bravery, Nerve,
Pluck, Valor, Daring, Audacity, Mettle and lastly resolution are all synonyms
for courage. Which word strikes your heart? For me it is resolution. For I am
determined not to invalidate Christ sacrifice for me, I will not stop trying to
become the vision He has for me; I am resolute. No matter how many times I fall
I will get up; I will not stop. I will remember that the journey before a man
tries the measure of his heart long before it tests the strength of his legs. I
will remember that a man’s life is likening unto a lake with no outlet in which
no life will come. Life giving water is always moving and giving of itself. Man,
to be truly a creature of God must give of his essence and run to the sound of
battle.
Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day and we honor those who have paid
the supreme sacrifice of devotion watching our nation. Pray today for the souls
of those taken in battle. In the communion of saints, it is our duty; no, our
honor to pray for the souls of those in our company who have died; especially
those who have passed through the valley of fear in the heat of battle.
Memorial Day, first established in 1866 to honor Union
soldiers of the Civil War, is now a day set aside to remember all of
the American soldiers who have died in war in the subsequent 15 decades --
about 1.2 million in all. This number, while representing a tremendous loss,
pales in comparison to the number of war-related deaths globally for the same
time period. Estimates run from 60 to 85 million for the number of lives lost
during World War II alone.[1]
While
stationed in Mons, Belgium I learned there is the legend of the Angels
of Mons, where it was reported the British soldiers were saved by heavenly
forces.
One
thing is certain: There are no atheists in foxholes.
To honor our fallen let us stop what we
are doing at 1500 hrs. (3 pm) and offer the Divine Mercy Prayer for those who
have fallen in service of our nation.
God
of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons
and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen[2]
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons
and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen[2]
·
There have been over 2.7 million US military
deaths since 1775.
·
The deadliest US War was the Civil War
with about 600,000 US deaths.
·
It is customary to fly a US flag at
half-staff till noon on Memorial Day.
·
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men
who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. - George S.
Patton
Memorial
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Attend a Memorial Day parade. One popular
parade is the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC.
·
All Americans are encouraged to pause for
one minute at 3:00 pm (local time). Think of the sacrifices made by U.S.
soldiers to provide freedom for all.
·
Visit the grave of a fallen soldier.
·
Have a picnic or go boating.
·
Donate to a charity that serves veterans.
Are we
willing to fight for the souls of our children even when the battles seem
increasingly difficult and unpractical in our eyes? Think what St. Joseph would
he do if he were alive today? The technology we bring into our home is just one
example. In what other scenarios do we need to stand strong? Warriors don’t
fret or complain because they understand there is a monumental battle at
hand; they are fighting against something bigger than themselves. Mary and
Joseph resisted the lure to complain when they had nowhere to sleep the night
of the birth of Jesus. How unpractical to take Mary into the middle of nowhere
precisely when she was about to go into labor; but that is exactly what Joseph
did!
·
Are you prepared to fight
for the souls of each and every member of your family?
·
Are you willing to make spiritual
sacrifices for them?
·
Are you poised to be there
for them in the toughest of times?
Historically today is the feast of St. Bernard of
Montjoux, an Italian churchman, founder of the Alpine hospices of Saint
Bernard. He is most famous for the hospices he built on the summits of passes
over the Alps. Many pilgrims from France and Germany would travel over the Alps
on their way to Rome, but it was always a possibility that one would die from
freezing along the way. In the 9th century a system of hospices had been attempted
but had lapsed long before Bernard's time. Bernard's hospices in the 11th
century was placed under the care of clerics and laymen and were well equipped
for the reception of all travelers. A now-famous breed of dogs, known for its
endurance in high altitude and cold, was named in honor of this saint.
Bernard's life has been the focus of many romantic plays and stories. Many of
us may remember childhood stories of St. Bernard dogs coming to the rescue of
stranded or injured victims on Alpine slopes. The dogs almost always seem to
have a cask of Brandy attached to their collars and when the victims were revived
by a good drink the dogs would lead them to safety.
He
has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his
covenant.
Daily Devotions
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
·
Please
Pray for Senator
McCain and our country; asking Our Lady of Beauraing to
intercede.
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