As with everything it seems, these days, we Catholics must move the opposite direction of the culture. Memorial Day is no exception. At my hair salon the other day, everyone was talking about their impending parties over the weekend. Someone asked me what I was doing and I said, “Nothing,” a bit embarrassed. I admit I am far from perfect in responding to these many awkward situations that arise. This is our lot. This is our cross as Christians, to follow the narrow path.
A culture that has forgotten how to mourn, has forgotten how to live.
In considering how I might “celebrate” this day, my first thought was to refrain from meat. However, our fridge is packed with meat that needs to be cooked. So I resolved to pray the rosary and to try to live a good, disciplined day. Thinking of my husband’s uncle Harry who died in WWII, I decided to offer the day for him and when presented with a difficulty, to say, “Do it for Harry.”
I have become deeply devoted to the memory of Harry, after coming across an old scrapbook in my husband’s basement. It showed little anecdotes of Harry from his boyhood. I was fascinated. Finally, I turned a page and there it was. The record of his death. I had never heard the story and was shocked and saddened. We have visited Harry’s memorial in the family cemetery several times now. Someone placed a flag there which is worn, but still there. He was buried in Germany. 26 years old, close to our son’s age now. Like the line in “Gone with the Wind,” referring to the soldiers of the Civil War, “Maybe they are all Ashley”…I think of the men and women we honor today…Maybe they are all Harry.
As I continue to work towards a community of love, apart from a world sinking into tyranny, I wonder what Harry died for and will remember to say, “Do it for Harry.”
On this feast of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, this octave of Pentecost and this Ember Week, let us keep these dear souls and their families in prayer, along with places of war right now and of course, pray for peace.
Come Holy Ghost, give the world the illumination it needs so very much at this time!