Memorial Day

The American Revolutionary War

4,435 Casualties

The War of 1812

2,260 Casualties

World War I

116,516 Casualties

World War II

405,399 Casualties

Korean War

36,574 Casualties

Vietnam War

56,220 Casualties

Desert ShieldDesert Storm

383 Casualties

Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom

6,775 Casualties

Memorial Day!

And we are called to remember, to honor, and to give thanks for those who have paid the ultimate price and given their lives for our freedom.

And as we do so, I find myself reminded that for us, Catholic Christians, actually every day is a "Memorial Day."

We are a people who hear that mandate from Jesus, "Do This in Memory of Me."

And to do "This" means that we gather at table with bread and wine and remember. We remember the One who willingly gave His life for us. He took that cross and climbed that hill and bowed His head and gave His life.

So that we might have freedom, true freedom.

As we gather around that bread and wine, we remember that the Source of freedom, true freedom is God.

No document, no piece of paper, even that signed and sealed in those hallowed halls of Philadelphia give us freedom. Truth be told, that document acknowledges this truth, "All are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights."

True freedom comes from God.

Our document delineates some of those freedoms: speech, assembly, press, worship, and such but that document does not go far enough.

The One who gave His life for us on that cross gives to us the greatest of all freedoms: freedom from sin and freedom from death.

We remember the One Who gives His life so that we might be free.

We remember those who have paid the ultimate price to preserve that freedom.

We give thanks.

And we pray: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

                      And let perpetual light shine upon them.

Memorial Day!