A female sharpshooter in Unkraine nicknamed "Charcoal" has been called the modern day "Lady Death," a deadly sharpshooter of World War II. Charcoal has recently become a Ukrainian folk hero for defiantly attacking Russian soldiers while remaining undercover. The young Markswoman fought for several years in the eastern Ukraine front against Kremlin-backed separatists, before shifting to the front line of hostilities, as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Her real name has not been made public and photos hide her identity by blurring her face or showing her with a mask. Long range sniper attacks are her area of expertise. As she assassinates enemy combatants, she militantly proclaims, "We must take them all out. These people are not human beings. Even the fascists were not as vile as these orcs. We must defeat them."
Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph D, from the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, states that even in a just defense of the homeland, we must not demonize others, and ignore the transcendent human experience that is universal to all of us.
Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed. Each of us is loved. Each of us is necessary. - Benedict XVI
This came to mind as I read today’s first reading in which Stephen is falsely accused of blasphemy, accosted, and seized by enemies, yet maintained the countenance, the face, of an angel. It also reminded me of the steadfast courage and boldness of today’s Saint Athanasius, the patriarch of Alexandria. He was at the Council of Nicea, in 325 A.D. which gave us most of the Creed that we now profess every Sunday. It was this Council that defined proclaimed the full humanity and full divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Athanasius was only 32 years old when he was elected patriarch of Alexandria in 328. He served for 44 years, was in constant debates and trials as he staunchly defended the Divinity of Christ against emperors, Arian bishops, crowds of demonstrators.
He was banished 5 times and sent into exile, but made it back each time to resume his post. Each year he sent out a pastoral letter to announce the date of Easter and other feasts. In 167, in his annual letter he laid down what he believed to be the canon of the New Testament, the 27 books later confirmed in North African Synods and finally decreed at the Council of Trent in the 16th century. He also composed, while in exile, the inspiring Life of Anthony of Egypt, the monk recognized as the Father of Monasticism.
He and Stephen never lacked for enemies. As far as we know, they never stooped to demonizing opponents. They remain two courageous and bold members of our family of believers who never stooped to demonizing their opponents.
Amen.
Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
