Thankful this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is the day we remember our fallen heroes in the United States.

Today, I write a short reflection in gratitude for those who have given the Ultimate Sacrifice.

In light of the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East and other parts of the world, I am really thankful for the Military and the powers that be, that keep us free to worship God.

So, this Memorial Day, make sure to be thankful to God:

• We live in a place where we are free to worship God.
• We live in a place where we enjoy many other freedoms.
• We have a mighty military that is an all-voluntary force.

Be sure to ask God:

• For the protection of those persecuted for their faith.
• For the future of those persecuted for their faith, that they might enjoy freedom of worship (that we seem to take for granted).
• For the souls of our dearly departed servicemembers and veterans, that they may enter His Kingdom.
• For the families of those who have lost their lives defending freedom around the world.

If you can, attend Mass (or a service) that honors those who have died.

Divine Mercy

Jesus will grant many graces to those who trust in His mercy.  The more we trust, the more we receive.  Even if hardened sinners were to recite this Chaplet only once, with trust, humility, and deep sorrow for their sins, they would obtain mercy, graces, and peace.

Whoever recites the Chaplet will receive great mercy at the hour of death.  When it is said for the dying, whether in their presence or from a distance, Jesus will stand between the Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge, but as the Merciful Savior.  He will grant great mercy and graces to souls as their last hope of salvation.

How to pray the Chaplet.

The Christian Faith Is So Rich.

I have a few other blogs on WordPress where the scope of what I write is so narrow, that it is sometimes hard to come up with a new topic to talk about.  This one is about my faith musings, which is admittedly broader, and at the same time narrow - it is about my faith, my Church.  But I am having very much the opposite effect with this blog.

There is so much richness, so much material about the Church, the Faith, Catholicism, that it is very hard for me to actually narrow down the topic enough to be effective.  First of all, at the macro level, while the Bible is not infinite, it is definitely a collection of many many books - Old and New Testament.  Then there is the Catechism, while based on Scripture, it also includes reflections on the lives of saints and Tradition.  Then, of course, the lives of each of the saints, the Mass, prayers, interior life (and so much more!)...

In addition, we have then what I like to call the micro-level topics - which are nothing small in and of themselves.  A specific passage in the Bible.  A specific aspect on the life of a saint.  A specific part of the Mass.

I thought that by giving myself leeway on the scope of things, it would be easier to write, but it is not.  So, in light of all of this, how does one effectively evangelize?  How does one approach someone outside the Church (or inside who needs reversion!) without overwhelming them?  I am a cradle Catholic and I sometimes feel overwhelmed!  There's just so much richness to our Christian Faith.

Christian Persecution in the Middle East

I am a recent revert to Catholicism - I have come back to the Church after a few years of lukewarm faith.  This time, God has called me back, and I would like to think I am listening.  I won't go into the details of my reversion at this time, but suffice to say that I am taking it more seriously than ever.

I took to reading Christian literature early in my reversion.  And a book that really made an impression on me is Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand.  It talks about his imprisonment under Communist Romania and the Underground Church that exists when Christians are persecuted.  He talks about some of the most beautiful conversion stories and some of the most interesting unsung martyrdom stories; people who suffered greatly for their faith.

This got me to thinking about our fellow Christians being persecuted in the Middle East, where Christianity has gone from 30% down to 10% or less.  So, in the very little I can do about it, short of picking up a weapon and fighting ISIL, I have decided to pray for persecuted Christians around the world, especially those in the Middle East.  I invite you to do the same.  The Power of Prayer.

Another thing that you can do to help is to donate to ChristiansAtRisk.org.  Any little bit helps!

If you prefer to donate by check, in the United States of America:
Make checks payable to:  Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc.
Kindly write    Christian Refugee Relief on the memo line of your check.
Send to:

Knights of Columbus Charities

One Columbus Plaza

PO Box 1966

New Haven, CT 06509-1966

In Canada,

Make checks payable to:  Knights of Columbus Canada Charities, Inc.

Kindly write    Christian Refugee Relief on the memo line of your check.

Send to:

Knights of Columbus Canada Charities

Gift Processing Center

PO Box 7252 Station A

Toronto, ON M5W 1X9

Whether a monetary gift is possible, please ask Mary Help of Christians for her intercession to Our Lord for our persecuted brethren around the world.

In the USA, at least, your donation is 100% tax deductible.