Dear Parishioners:
We’ve watched over these last few weeks the events unfolding in Afghanistan. The violence and the attack resulted in the death of thirteen U.S. marines and soldiers and hundreds of innocent Afghanis. It is a sad and tragic loss of life. I watched with great sadness the transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for the 13 U.S. service members who gave their lives serving our country and saving Americans and Afghan allies. They died in the Kabul airport terrorist attack. They are heroes, and we commend them to God to receive the reward of their goodness.
A recent Wall Street Journal editorial entitled, “The Best of America,” offers a tribute to these young soldiers who “ range in age from 20 to 31, represent a mix of ethnic groups, and hail from the middle-class, patriotic families who always bear the worst burden of war. Their family members say most of them joined the military out of individual purpose and national pride. They are the volunteers who follow orders and man the ramparts no matter the risk or ill-advised war plan. Their service is also reassuring for showing that millions of young Americans are still willing to sacrifice to defend their country and its principles. We’ll wager that they didn’t wait in the locker room when the national anthem was played. They represent the best of America.”
As all the headlines read this week, “America’s Longest War Has Ended,” we must all pause and pray for all who have died over these last twenty years. More than 2,400 U.S. military personnel and nearly 50,000 Afghan civilians died in the war, with thousands more wounded and permanently injured. In speaking about the situation in Afghanistan, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called for Catholics to take up prayer and fasting. He said: “I entrust the dead to the mercy of Almighty God and I thank those who are working to help that people so tested, especially the women and children. I appeal to everyone to intensify prayer and practice fasting and penance. Now is the time to do it I’m serious.”
Perhaps this week, we might all take more time in prayer here in Church before the Eucharistic Lord. Let us pray for the dead and the protection of all our military and those now living under the Taliban who face violence and even death. Our Holy Father has called us not only to more prayer but to take up fasting. It is an ancient and venerable tradition of our faith. Fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life. Let us fast this week for such a sacrificial and penitential act is also an act of solidarity with those who still suffer and those who sacrificed their very lives.
St. Pope John Paul II’s Prayer for Peace in the World offers a good beginning of our prayer:
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future. From famine and war, deliver us. From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us. From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us. From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us. From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us. From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us. From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us. From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit conquer all sin: individual sin and the “sin of the world,” sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love. May it put a stop to evil. May it transform consciences. May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope. Amen.”
Pray. Fast. Remember the dead. Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless. God Bless America! Happy Labor Day!