I was preparing to speak at the Thursday Eucharist at Lota House this week and reading about the witness of a young man, drafted into the RAF, and sharing military barracks with 30 other men.
He had to make a decision. He had always knelt to say his prayers at night. Should he continue to kneel now that he was in military service? He squirmed a little bit and then said to himself: “why should I change just because people are watching? Am I going to begin my life away from home by letting other people dictate what I should and should not do?” He decided to kneel!
Everyone else was aware of his actions… he was the only obvious Christian in the barracks… and the only Catholic! He said later that those ten minutes on his knees often lead to long discussions. On the last day at boot camp, someone said to him “You are the finest Christian I’ve ever met.” He replied, “Well I might be the most public Christian you’ve ever met, but I don’t think I’m the finest, but thank you.”
Earlier this week our news programs were full of the Canonization of “Mary of the Cross”, or Mary MacKillop as we have known of her. There was much discussion in many circles about Mary’s elevation to sainthood.
Now, I am convinced that she was an extraordinary woman, with a great faith and a tenacious spirit. In fact, in 1994 or 5 I was even invited to attend an outdoor mass in Sydney, for her beatification, and found myself caught up and moved by the “hype”. But, I am not so sure that I could be in a position to measure the relative merits of the goodness of any human being, living or dead. Who really confers “sainthood” anyway?
For a young man to kneel in a barracks full of young men (and strangers at that) seems to me to be a brave witness… and could have been a very costly exercise.
My 3rd grade teacher (who was also my Sunday School teacher) was married to an alcoholic, who was more often drunk than not. She raised 2 children, taught full time and devoted herself to sharing the gospel. She didn’t speak ill of her husband and always held her head up. In a small country town life must have been difficult. As an adult, I recognise her as a hero for the faith. She is unsung but, it has been obvious at our school reunions, that her life and faith touched many.
Perhaps you have your own faith heroes? People who may not have lived their lives in the public eye but whose words and actions offered light in the darker moments of life? I believe that there are unsung heroes and Saints of faith even within our own congregations and I give thanks to God who knows each and everyone of you!
Love and Blessings
Rev Shan