In late July 1941 Saint Maximilian Kolbe heroically chose to take the place of a prisoner who would be put to death. After surviving starvation he was finally put to death by lethal injection on August 14th, the vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. He was later canonized on October 10, 1982 as a martyr of charity.
The actions of Saint Maximilian Kolbe make Jesus’ words from our gospel manifest, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another.” The culmination of this love is displayed to us from the cross. It was here that His love was so great that He will willing to endure the pains of the cross without reservation in order that we may redeemed.
In the words which would be later spoken in Saint John’s Gospel, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This points towards the cross and the life which springs forth from its midst. In the midst of every suffering, temptation, and joy let us dare to look to the cross for from it we see displayed love which knows no end.
The word “charity” comes to us from the Latin word “caritas.” “Caritas” is a form of love. Not just any love, but a love which is perfect, mutual, and flowing over. This love is best displayed to us in the Most Holy Trinity as well as from the cross. Here we are able to see that love which is found to be perfect, mutual, and flowing over.
We so often fail to have such a sacrificial understanding of love. Love is lowered to something mundane that can be cut off at any moment when it no longer fulfills us. Love can never be abusive. Love is not to exalt me in my pleasures and desires. Love is to look outward to the other and to give entirely of our self unto them seeking nothing in return.
This commandment given to us by Christ is most revolutionary and difficult. It is revolutionary because it demands that we think about love in a different way then what the world usually understands it to be. It is difficult because it challenges us to transform the way in which we look upon others.
In our prayer must ask how we are being called to enter into such love. Look upon the crucifix and from this glimpse of perfect love be challenged to expand in your love for others.
We are probably not being asked to lay down our life in such a heroic manner as Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Nevertheless, his ability to love came from his trust in the Lord and what was portrayed to him from the cross. Likewise, the cross must be the source of our love for the cross challenges us give freely of our self to the point that our love in flowing over and seeking nothing in return.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.
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