Today is Memorial Day, our nation’s day of remembrance honoring those men and women who died in service to our country.  In recent years, this special holiday has been overshadowed by the concept of “the start of summer”.  The current news is full of reports of Americans traveling in great numbers this Memorial Day weekend.  Will the media remind us of the sacrifice of those generous men and women or will we be encouraged to return to “normal” once again?

There is something else to remember too.  Some of you may recall the mass hymn, “We Remember”.

“We remember how you loved us to your death, and still we celebrate for you are with us here.  And we believe that we shall see you when you come in your glory, Lord.  We remember.  We celebrate.  We believe.”

Let us not forget to remember the One who sustained us during these unexpected times.  If we are honest with ourselves, we can say that we did not get here alone.  We got here through the help of God whether we experienced God through each other, through sacrament, or through prayer.  Our strength comes from knowing we didn’t have to do it alone.  We did it together.  We did it with each other.  We did it with God.  Let us remember that so that whatever challenges we face in the future, we will be assured that with God we can do and be more than we can on our own.

As we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country, let us also remember the person of God in Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for all humanity.

This Monday Minute is from Brother Hank Hammer, currently listening to “Thankful” sung by Josh Groban. Listen in at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TEqgU4LpnA