On Sunday night, my Dad and I watched the Memorial Day concert on TV. Like hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of others, we listened to the stories of brave men and women who have served our country.
The backdrop was the United States Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial, two iconic sites in the United States of America. But they would not exist without the men and women who have built and protected the United States and her sovereignty.
The themes from that concert, both spoken and sung, echoed in my mind as I read and prayed over today’s readings: service to others, virtue, and sacrifice to the point of giving all.
St. Peter reminds the members of the early church that it was in service of others, not themselves, that the prophets and disciples (of Jesus) taught the Good News of Jesus’ giving His life to redeem us.
St. Peter wants them to understand that it is through the Holy Spirit that a message of reordering their lives is being taught, and that there is no ulterior motive. He also reminds them through scripture what Jesus has told us, “Be holy as I am holy.”
Earlier yesterday, I listened to a thought-provoking podcast that dealt with the state of our souls. It was stimulated by Pope Francis’ interview with the 60 Minutes TV program where the Holy Father said that man is fundamentally good. The host of the podcast asked how that can be true, “If every day I need to read the Word of God and pray so that I don’t follow through on my sinful desires?”
His guest, a Catholic gentleman, went on to talk about the effects of original sin; though forgiven in our baptism, how it nevertheless still affects us. This is why we need to read the Word of God, pray, go to Confession and Mass, and receive all the sacraments proper to our vocation.
We are made for holiness, but we need God’s grace to attain it every day.
In the Memorial Day Concert, I was inspired by the ordinary men and women and their families who, like St. Peter said, “gave up everything” in service of our country. These men and women, some very young at the time of their service, were transformed by their heroic actions, in some cases giving their lives for their fellow soldiers and to protect our freedoms, including the freedom of religion.
We need to be reminded by Jesus, St. Peter, and the Holy Father that we are made for holiness, and that it is attainable through God’s grace, receiving the Sacraments, living the Word of God, and prayer, combined with our obedience to our loving God.
Let us take to heart Jesus' words, “Be holy as I am holy,” and let us remember the examples of our family members, friends, and the saints who have led the way for us.
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
