May 31: Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, we rightly honor our heroes and remember those who have offered the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedom of our nation. We might properly ask, “why are human beings willing to fight and die for freedom?” Because our freedom is such a precious gift. Our need for freedom is imprinted into our very nature. This is why many fight for it for others.

In between the various event on Monday, we are invited to reflect on the meaning of true freedom and thank God for the Church which proclaims the way to the fullness of that freedom – in and through Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to “the slavery of sin.”

So, this Memorial Day let us rightly honor our fallen brothers and sisters, those who have died so that we may continue to choose freedom,  to choose what is good and just. But we should also remember our Church, who has defended the dignity and freedom of the human person for over two-thousand years.

Let us pray. “God of power and mercy, we beg you to 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 though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

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