Reflection
So the Gospel for today actually really threw me and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. But the Saint of the day is St. Maximillian Kolbe and I can definitely reflect on his life and story as it’s a tragic but great one.
For those that don’t know, Saint Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland, and when he was young he had a profound vision of the Virgin Mary that heavily influenced his path of sanctity. He entered the Franciscan order around 1907 and dedicated his life to spreading the message of love and service. Hitler rose to power in 1933 and WWII began. Kolbe was arrested February 1941 for aiding and hiding Jews and was imprisoned in Warsaw. He was later transported to Auschwitz, the largest and most lethal concentration camp located in Poland. Within its confines, hundreds of thousands of individuals faced unspeakable forms of prosecution and death. Remarkably, Saint Maximilian Kolbe remained steadfast in his commitment to compassion and his priestly duties. Despite the pervasive cruelty and inhumane conditions, he persisted in his acts of kindness and spiritual guidance. Unfortunately, due to his resolute commitment, he became a focal point for the guards' hostility, subjecting him to brutal beatings. During his time there a prisoner escaped and in retaliation the camp commander chose 10 men to be starved to death in an underground bunker. When one of the men who had been selected cried out that he had a wife and children Kolbe courageously volunteered to take his place to die. He did not know this man, he was a stranger to him, but he still stepped forward to take his place, embracing a sacrificial fate. It is said that Kolbe guided those prisoners with him in prayer, ministered to them, and remained composed often kneeling and praying in the cell. After two weeks of no food or water only Kolbe remained among the living and they gave him lethal injection to bring an end to his life on August 14th 1941. His last words were said to be “Ave Maria” encapsulating the ultimate testament of a life dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe's legacy continues to inspire people around the world to live lives of compassion, courage, and unwavering faith. While we might not all be called to be martyrs or have to face the same cruel challenges he did, his story still serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light of love and sacrifice can shine brightly. His commitment to be like Jesus and embody Christ-like qualities even in the face of such adversity is one that will always stay with me and inspire me to follow and stand up for my faith.
I will leave you with two of my favorite quotes by St. Maximilian Kolbe “For Jesus Christ I am prepared to suffer still more”, and
“A single act of love makes the soul return to life.”
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