Last week, we in the United States of America remembered the police officers, first responders, firefighters, and many others who risked and gave their lives for their country on September 11th, 2001. I was only 2 years old at the time, so I don't remember the day, but I do remember the memorial of 9/11 when I was 5 in kindergarten. The tragic events that took place that day continue to ring through time with a tone of sadness. But the response to this devastating attack also inspires great patriotism in me. I am so proud of my country and the many Americans who rushed to the scene of the attack to help people; to save souls.
I love my country and my fellow countrymen. I am inspired by Tom Burnett and all the other Americans who stood up for each other whether it was their job or not. And shouldn't we do the same for all of our brothers and sisters today? There are so many souls being attacked, not by earthly terrorists, but by all the forces of hell. So many souls are killed every day by mortal sin. People all around us are falling into the clutches of the evil one and we often stand by and do nothing.
The Catholic Church needs warriors too. We need first responders on the spiritual frontlines. We need people who are going to lay down their lives for others. "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 DRB) Catholics need to rise up, whether they are professed religious and priests or not, and work to save the souls in peril of sin.
Some Catholics are called in a special way to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters. When a young man or woman is called to the religious life, they are called to sacrifice their lives for the good of souls and the good of the Church. They give up so much; possible families, careers, travel, and so on. Priests and religious stand on the front lines of the battle for souls making sacrifices and praying for them constantly.
Cloistered and contemplative religious have an even greater duty to lay down their lives totally and completely. They give up even more than parish priests and active religious do. The contemplatives are the powerhouse of the Church. They pray, sacrifice, and work in the heart of the Church for the salvation of souls! They are truly the frontline soldiers of the Catholic Church because they battle evil and implore God's graces day in and day out.
Are you being called to be a soldier of Jesus Christ on the frontlines? Souls are falling in the world to the attacks of the devil. Is Christ calling you to be a first responder? No matter what your station or vocation in life may be, you can save souls through your own little prayers, sacrifices, and good works. So let us storm Heaven with our prayers for the souls of sinners and let's bring the light of Christ to those around us who dwell in darkness.
