Memorial Day-Why We Fight

Stephen Ambrose, in his book the “Band of Brothers,” shared a story about Easy Company in which the soldiers reflected on all that had happened, all that they experienced, all that they witnessed, all that they sacrificed, all that they had lost and understandably asked themselves “what was the point? Why?” 

They arrived at a concentration camp and saw first hand the horrors for themselves, the diabolical conditions the prisoners have been subjected to. They saw prisoners near death next to corpses – people malnourished and starving. The men in their shock and horror raced to get food and supplies only to be stopped by one of the medics who told them they can’t just do that… they can’t just give them food and water and free them. That they needed to be careful and cautious and slowly work to help these poor souls if there was any chance for them to physically recover – so, at that moment, they had to keep the prisoners inside the barbed wire fence until they could make sure they could get the care they needed. It was heart-wrenching on every level. These soldiers finally had their answer, why they fight – but it was hell getting to this moment, and in that moment, it still was a living hell.

The author wrote about the incredible contradictions that these soldiers experienced: They found combat to be ugliness, destruction, and death, and hated it. Anything was better than the blood and carnage, the grime and filth, the impossible demands made on the body—anything, that is, except letting down their buddies. They also found in combat the closest brotherhood they ever knew. They found selflessness. They found they could love the other guy in their foxhole more than themselves. “They found that in war, men who loved life would give their lives for them.”

Now during this pandemic, our faith in God is being tested.  Sadly, many families had to say goodbye to a family member, or worse, a child to this dreaded virus. The pain of letting go, through a window and not being allowed to hold the hand of our dying loved one is living hell.

This Memorial Day will always be remembered, not only as a time we honor our heroes on the battlefield, but also our heroes in our hospitals who are fighting an enemy we cannot see, an enemy that threatens people of all ages, all nationalities, all countries throughout our world.

Our faith gives us hope and courage that all or beloved have ascended into heaven.

It will take a long time before the coldness of death is turned into warmth. Jesus taught: “It is better for you that I go away!” These are painful words most of the time, from brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedom to worship, to those in the Covid-19 isolation wards of hospitals at this very moment, a loved one or comrade saying goodbye in death. Separation hurts, goodbyes bring painful tears, and death of every kind wrenches our heart.

But that is part of the mystery of love. The mystery of the Ascension. Eventually we all reach a point where what is best for everyone is that we go away so that we can give our spirit. The gift of our lives can only be fully received after we ascend. What will you remember?

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Frineds who remember the sacrifice of our soldiers who gave their all, the dedication of our medical teams who continue to give their all daily to save lives. May their spirit of faith, courage, generosity and compassion be our inspiration to make God’s love contagious so that no one dies in vain and our prayers of gratitude bring healing to our world.

Biscuits

A while back I read a story of a visiting pastor who attended a men's breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of the country. The group had asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast.

  

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned.

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one to feel uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen."

Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today. 

Stay strong, my friends, because our LORD is mixing several things that we don't really care for, but something even better is going to come when HE is done with it. 

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are nursing those sick with the coronavirus. Protect them and keep them safe from the virus and may their compassion bring healing to those in their care.

Due to Technical Difficulties

“Due to technical difficulties, we are unable to bring you this program.” My sincere apologies, but prior to today’s Sunday’s Mass, we just could not get our computer to link up with ZOOM. Folks would click the link and get a message that said, “meeting in progress” or worse, call on your phone and the voice said, “the meeting had not started.”

My reflection was about the Gospel in which Jesus refers to himself as “the Good Shepherd” and the “gate for the sheep.” Images that need a bit of explanation.

Sheep have a connection with the shepherd unlike that of other farmers with their animals. The Shepherd knows every one of his sheep. For example, at Holy Family, Joy and Dan sit with their children to my left, behind them are Mary and Roy, then Mary on the aisle with Tina, Tori and Donna behind her. Further down the side aisle are Karen and Bob holding grandson Jamison, then Harry, and Tom and Donna. And holding up the back pew are Denny and Gus. Yes, this shepherd knows where you sit in church and even knows when one of you is missing. 

During Jesus’ time, there would be three or four shepherds who’d put all of their sheep together in a pen while one of the shepherds would watch though the night protecting them from thieves, or wild animals; and in the morning, the shepherds would call, and the flocks would split and follow their respective shepherd. They knew which voice to follow in order to find direction in life. They recognized the voice of their shepherd.

Jesus tells us that if we listen to His voice and follow Him, He will lead us to an abundant life. That we will be saved. That death will have no power over us.

Sounds like good news, but for the early disciples it wasn’t enough, disciples are leaving town, or like Thomas, thinking it can’t be true; or like Mary Magdalene, unable to recognize Jesus Christ standing right in front of her, and dare say we are in the same boat wondering in this moment of history when we are going to be able to come back into church to pray and share fellowship.

What will lift us out of those thoughts of despair is by hearing Jesus voice and remembering who we are.

Where do we hear the voice of Jesus? First: you will find His voice in the people who are caring for our sick and dying people in our hospitals, the doctors, nurses and first responders giving comfort and hope and healing. Second: you know it in the voices of volunteers who bring food to our school children or caregivers at Charlotte Home. Third: you may know it in the voice of a family member or friend inviting you to a ZOOM gathering to connect or simply pray together.  Fourth: in the voice of mom and dad praying at the bedside of their children that God will protect grandpa and grandma from getting sick.

Lord, I pray for all my  Sonshine Friends, the parishioners at Holy Family, their relatives, neighbors and friends around the country that despite my failure to connect they can hear Your voice. We have a sign outside the front of our church today that says it all: “CAN’T SLEEP, DON’T COUNT SHEEP. TALK TO THE SHEPHERD.”

One quick story, last Sunday, I was sitting in the sanctuary and it is 10 minutes before Mass and I heard the side door of the church open. I shout ‘Whose there and got no response.” Again, I hear shuffling in the hallway and the next moment Mary peaks around the corner of the door. I say to Mary, “you’re not supposed to be here, I don’t want you to get sick.” She says that she wanted to leave me something and places an envelope on the chair next to me. She then says she going back home to watch Mass on her computer. I send her off with a blessing. However, curiosity got the best of me and I took the envelop into the sacristy and opened it up with a note that said, “I can barely see anymore but I hope you and Sue can use this to keep safe.” When I opened the tissue, I found a homemade mask to keep us safe. I’m thinking about Mary’s voice right now, disappointed that I couldn’t stream the Mass to you this morning. Jesus is saying “Fr. Matt, no big deal, you ‘re going to be alright and so is everyone else who believes in Me.” 

Thank you, Mary, you are the voice of Jesus telling all of us to be safe and so I want all of you at Holy Family, your family, neighbors to continue to wear your masks with a smile and may God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit.