Memorial of Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
Father Maximilian lived 47 years and few months. Holy Father Saint Paul VI who personally beatified Fr. Maximilian, raised him to the glory of the altars on October 17, 1971 as a martyr of love, Holy Father Saint John Paul II canonized Fr. Kolbe on October 10, 1982. Today we ask ourselves, how can we imitate Father Maximillian? What does he say to the modern man?
As a small child from Gold Street in Pabianice, Raymond Kolbe was strongly connected with his parents and siblings. The entire Kolbe family actively participated in the life of the parish community. Today, it helps us understand how important the family is; how irreplaceable the work of a father and a mother is in caring for the proper development of their children and the transfer of faith. It is the family and the community that shapes a man.
We are often so busy and absorbed in too many activities, worrying about material needs to the point that we don’t think about our life with God.
The evangelizing zeal of Father Maximilian, which yielded wonderful fruits from his work in Rome, Krakow, Grodno, Niepokalanów, Nagasaki, and Auschwitz, were borne out of his deep relationship with God and especially the Immaculate Mother. This is the secret of his holiness.
We live in times where digital technology has entered our everyday lives as a tool of a struggle between good and evil. The Internet often creates confusion in our hearts. We can compare it to a “tsunami of consciences”. Father Maximilian shows us that communication tools can and should be used to do good for God, to talk about Him and seek new paths to the lost hearts of men. It is in the human heart that the choice of light or darkness can be made.
Today, the culture of death seems stronger than the culture of life. In many parts of the world, conceived life is not protected, people are not receiving medical care, the elderly are not being cared for. Persecution of Christians is increasing, including those hidden in work, on the streets (abandoned, homeless, orphans, women’s trafficking), in advertisements, persuading the masses to live without morality and without God. Father Maximilian’s testimony defended the great value of human life.
Our times have falsified the true meaning of love. How often we witness mankind’s treatment of the other person as a thing that can be bought and/or manipulated for self-benefit. From Father Maximilian, we can learn Christian love and learn that people become a gift to each other, gift that is voluntary, unforced, rising out of a heart sensitive to the well-being of the neighbor. It is a sacrificial gift of life to save the gift of life. We are not all called to martyrdom, but in everyday life we can give our neighbor a merciful heart, a good word and offer our compassionate presence.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george
The text above is from our Book
“I AM A CATHOLIC PRIEST"
Father Maximilian Kolbe’s Reply to Priests Who Question Their Own Identity”.
You can find this book on our website: www.timeofmercy.com