Greater Love Hath No Man Than This

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13

Most families have stories to tell about the Second World War or others that have followed since, whether it be about battles fought and won, the pride of country or way of life that led men and women to sign up and join the fight against the ‘foe’.  Less talked about are ones of soldiers who returned but remained devastated by trauma and closed off emotional responsiveness. Yet the story that causes me to observe a Moment of Silence every November 11th is of a less universal nature … or perhaps we simply come to understand universal truths by way of our own experience. 

Uncle Dave, 36 years old when he signed up in 1942 and already a married man of ten years, was trained initially as a cook and mechanic. He ended up in the Calgary Highlanders on the front lines of northern France after the D-Day invasion. In the meantime, the love of his life, Flo, who had been unable to have children, went from the West to visit Dave’s family in Hamilton, Ontario.  While there, she decided to seek medical assistance for her fertility issues so they might have a family upon Dave’s return. Tragically, she developed sepsis following the required surgery and did not survive.

Dave was killed on the battlefield three months later.  The family learned that a few of his fellow soldiers had gone off to a tavern in town and returned to the trenches inebriated and very loud and disorderly. Afraid that the noise would attract the attention of the ‘enemy’ and have them all killed, Dave jumped out, grabbed them and pushed them into the trenches. They survived; tragically, he did not. Dave is interred in the Calais Canadian War Cemetery near St. Inglevert, France. My Grandmother requested that the John 15:13 verse appear on the gravestone. 

Did heartbroken Uncle Dave no longer care about surviving once he knew his wife had gone? Had life lost its meaning? Or was his selfless act to save another an expression of his inner understanding that we are here to care for each other, to reach out whatever the personal cost and offer ourselves in service to the ‘neighbour’. That no matter the circumstance, we are here to bring about peace and love? We will never know what Dave thought, but his life and death assault me each Remembrance Day and demand that I engage in deep introspection about my life and capacity to serve in selfless and loving action.

-Susan Hendricks, Associate | Peterborough Neighbourhood

ALL SAINTS' DAY

All Saints’ Day is celebrated in many Christian churches to honour all those deceased who have attained what might be called spiritual maturity whether they have been formally canonized or not.

When I was a little girl I loved reading the Lives of the Saints series. The martyr, St Lawrence, remains one of my favorites because of his bravery and humour. Imagine asking his torturers to turn him over on the spit because he was done on one side. Martin de Porres was another favorite because of his kindness and dedication. St. Patrick, after whom my Dad was named, continues to be well celebrated in my family because of our Irish heritage. The list seemed endless.

To a child the stories of the saints were full of adventure and mirrored what I believed a good Christian life might look like. It was amazing how many different paths took them to be honoured in heaven.

I continue to be grateful for the short reflections available in the back of the Living with Christ periodical. As an adult their stories give me pause to reflect on my own journey to goodness. What might I learn from their experience that will help me to embrace each moment ?

In these days I most often experience the lives of the saints in the people whose lives have touched mine. Quiet pauses throughout the day bring the gift of memories to me of former caring neighbours, listening teachers, discerning priests, loving parents, faith filled friends and justice seeking religious and fun loving relatives. I know they are certainly among the communion of saints.

This All Saints’ Day I will spend time with those closest to my heart who have gone before me but left many gifts leading me act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly towards the God who call us home.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

National Good Neighbour Day

Originally, National Good Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana. In 1978. United States President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601: “As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love, and respect build cohesive families and communities. The celebration has since become one of international significance.

Using the occasion of Good Neighbor Day has facilitated for me a most delightful trip down memory lane. Many past good neighbours popped into mind. Let me introduce you to a few.

Mrs. M. our next-door neighbour about 65 yr. ago was very good to 5 yr. old me. What defined good in the mind of this child? Well, she and I traded bird, flower, and animal cards from Red Rose tea. I always ended up with a full set and at that age I couldn’t imagine why she always traded her singletons. Though the cards have long since been donated, her kindness and fun have always stuck with me.

In Ottawa in the 70s many young children neighbours would knock on our door to see if I would come out to play. They wanted to play football because they had seen me walk up the street with one, a gift for the coming weekend. We had great fun until I took a tumble and then they became my caregivers, bringing me dandelion bouquets. Their reaching out to me, then and now, is one significant definition of good neighbour.

Most recently, I have young neighbours on both side of me. We all enjoy gardening and so often chat over the fence and exchange veggies. At most, they are half my age so their interest and willingness to engage with this white-haired lady brings me joy and awareness of what is important to the youth of the day. Their help with the heavy lifting doesn’t go unnoticed.

I often pray in the yard and am stilled by the birds, squirrels, rabbits, the cool breeze, and the shade of the maples. These too are good neighbours and ask only that I watch, listen, and learn from them.

Are all neighbours good? I guess it depends on your definition.

Are all neighbours, near or far, dear? Absolutely! May we pray for and enjoy all your neighbours and strive to be good ones.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

A Royal Light Bearer

Jesus said to the people: “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar or puts it under a bed but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.”

Yesterday we celebrated the funeral of Queen Elizabeth – and I would say she certainly is an excellent example of someone, of a woman, who lit a lamp and put it on a lampstand when she was crowned Queen of England in 1953 at the tender age of 25.  On the day of her coronation, she spoke these famous words: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

Image: Unsplash/Vladimir Fedotov

During her 70-year reign she did not hide her light under a jar but put it on a lampstand letting it shine brightly. I doubt she would have been able to let her light shine brightly all these years, right to the very end of her life, had she not fostered a close relationship with Jesus, who spoke much about the light – proclaiming “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” And in Psalm 119, we read that Jesus’ word is “a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path.” Jesus’ word was the light to Queen Elizabeth’s path all her life. As she expressed in these words: 

“To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?”

-Sister Magdalena Vogt, cps

National Day of Service and Remembrance

Image: Unsplash/Julien Maculan

Most people remember exactly where they were on September 11, 2001 as the first of a series of planes crashed into the World Trade Centre, the South Tower, the Pentagon and Shanksville P.A. Since then, Americans gather to remember the 3000 innocent victims. They honour and give thanks as well to the countless Police, Firefighters and Volunteers who rushed toward the disaster areas to selflessly offer their help.

Today we are invited to reflect not only on the 9-11 event and their consequences but also on the atrocities that continue to occur throughout the world and perhaps in our own neighbourhoods. A quick glance at any newspaper will draw our attention to a long list: poverty, homelessness, hunger, stabbings, war, tragic deaths. Some days it is overwhelming, I turn off the TV, close the paper and sit quietly listening.

“Listening to God, to the Universe, to the world’s pulse, we trust that healing and whole making energies are released in ourselves and the planet.”

— Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

What is my role in eliminating such pain where I live? How can I be of service?  Then the Spirit nudges me to recall the bravery of those who have gone before me doing good, volunteering, visit the sick, praying with a friend, smile at people along the way; simple actions but with great potential to brighten a day. I can follow their lead.  Scripture tells me to” feed the hungry”, “cloth the naked”.  I can do that!  Some very wise women encourage me when they say, “Listening to God, to the Universe, to the world’s pulse, we trust that healing and whole making energies are released in ourselves and the planet”.  I believe them and find renewed energy.

What helps you to remain hopeful and helpful?

-Maureen Condon is an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph