True love demands that we plunge headfirst into the conflicts that beset our world, that we work for unity and peace within the very dynamic that is tearing us apart.
Kathleen Duffy SSJ,PhD.
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
Interfaith Friendships
Image: Jeremy Yap/Unsplash
I was inspired to share this inspiring article from the Center for Action and Contemplation. The article is by Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core.
The article describes how asking youth to share with each other stories from their diverse religions, how values held by all of them can lead to joint participation in a service project that implements these values.
You can find this inspiring and hopeful article here.
-Sister Pat McKeon, csj
To Explore Further. . . Read Richard on interspirituality and solidarity.
Weekly Pause and Ponder
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