Fears and Tears

Jesus speaks of entering the narrow gate at Mass last weekend in the Gospel reading. The way is not easy, but we are not alone on the journey towards Him. In another place in scripture, He speaks of suffering in this life, of taking up our cross, but He also speaks of paradise and a place He has prepared in Heaven for us after our death.

Following the Lord is not the easy way. He has shown that by His life on earth. The saints are a great example by their persistence and I find encouragement by their personal stories.

On our recent road trip, I listened to the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who died in an Auschwitz concentration camp as he took the place of a family man who was to be killed. A prisoner had escaped and they chose 10 men to die because of the escape. This man was one of the 10 chosen, but because of what Father Maximilian did, he survived the camp.

Year’s earlier, Father Maximilian Kolbe published a monthly magazine which reached one million copies at one point. He had a great love of Our Lady, and this magazine, which is still in existence today, is called Knight of the Immaculate. He relied on donations for the magazine and the money was provided.

Father Kolbe also began an evangelization movement called the Militia of the Immaculata. It is a consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wearing the Miraculous medal. He had a vision of the Blessed Mother as a child and had a great devotion to her.

I chose to listen to St. Maximilian’s story, because we were traveling on his feast day which happens to be my son’s birthday. I feel blessed to know more about the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Love is the path to the narrow gate and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Thank you Lord, for walking with me, help me to go the narrow way with your grace. Amen.

A single act of love makes the soul return to life. St. Maximilian Kolbe.