A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mt 19:13-15
Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
REFLECTION
"he went away"
"As for man, his days are like the grass; he blossoms like a flower in the field. A wind sweeps over it and it is gone; its place knows it no more. But the Lord's mercy is from age to age, toward those who fear him. His salvation is for the children's children of those who keep his covenant, and remember to carry out his precepts." (Psalm 103:15-18).
Evil in Auschwitz could not pass up Father Maximilian Kolbe's offer of taking Franciszek Gajowniczek's place of starvation. Ten men were condemned to die in the starvation bunkers, and Father Kolbe never complained. Two weeks later all had died but Maximilian Kolbe was still alive. He was given an injection of carbolic acid. Even in death his face was calm and radiant. But St Maximilian Kolbe did not "go away". So many prisoners saw his act of courage and love and remarked how "he gave them hope, new life and strength".
Most of us would be, as the Psalm says, "gone when the wind swept over us" never to be remembered. But not Maximilian. St Maximilian Kolbe at the age of 12 committed himself to purity and becoming a martyr. He was devoted to Mary, (the Immaculata) the Mother of God and wrote extensively about her. He formed the Militia of Knights for the Immaculata. He had set out to reach all nations regarding the Immaculata and to teach all nations about Jesus til he was arrested by the Nazis.
May we, in our short lives, give people hope, new life and strength. Our priests have devoted their lives for just that. May they be remembered for the many souls they save.
And may we remember all the different 22 priests we pray for daily in our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
God Bless You
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