Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, P.M., (14th August,
2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary
Time (I))
Deut 10:12-22;
Ps 147:12-15.19-20. (R. v.12);
Matt 17:22-27.
Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe was born
on 8th January, 1894 in Poland as Raymund Kolbe. He was a Conventual
Franciscan friar and very active in promoting the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
Maximilian earned doctorate in philosophy and theology at the age of 21 and 28
respectively. He organized the Army of the Immaculate One (Militia Immaculata)
aimed at the conversion of sinners through the intercession of Mary. Maximilian
was ordained a catholic priest in 1918 and continued his work of promoting Mary
throughout Poland. Over the next several years, Kolbe founded a monthly
periodical titled Knight of the Immaculate and also operated a religious
publishing press. He also founded monasteries in both Japan and India. In 1936,
his poor health forced him to return to Poland. He was among the brothers who
remained in the monastery at the break of World War II. He opened a temporary
hospital to aid those in need. He was sent to prison but released three months
later. Kolbe refused to sign a document that would recognize him as a German
citizen with his German ancestry and continued to work in his monastery,
providing shelter for refugees – including hiding 2,000 Jews from German
persecution. On 17th February, 1941, the monastery was shut down;
Kolbe was arrested by the German Gestapo and taken to the Pawiak prison and
three months after was transferred to Auschwitz. Toward the end of his second
month in Auschwitz, 10 men were chosen to face death by starvation to warn
against escapes. Kolbe was not chosen but volunteered to take the place of a
man with a family. After two weeks of dehydration and starvation, he was given a
lethal injection of carbolic acid. He died on 14th August, 1941 and
his remains were cremated on 15th August. Kolbe was beatified as a
“Confessor of the Faith” on 17th October, 1971 by Pope Paul VI and
canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on 10th October, 1982 as a
martyr of charity. He is the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families,
and the pro-life movement.[1]
Topic: Giving offence.
At Capernaum, the temple tax collectors demanded tax from
Jesus and Peter. Although it was wrong for them to demand temple tax from them,
yet Jesus paid to avoid giving offence to them.
Giving offence puts one off and might probably degenerate
into enmity. Jesus did not even argue with them on its legality. Some might
judge this as injustice. Saint Paul writes, “To have lawsuits at all with one
another is defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be
defrauded?” (1Cor 6:7).
Provoking others closes the door of communication. Hence
Saint Paul advices, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring
them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Again, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they
become discouraged” (Col 3:21).
Not reasoning in the same direction is not an excuse to give
offence to others. Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe aimed at converting the sinners
and not provoking them. He finally died in place of a man with family. We must
live out Christ’s command, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you” (Matt 5:44).
Bible Readings: 1Cor 6:1-11.
Thought for today: ... love one another (Rom 13:8).
Let us pray: May the God of steadfastness and
encouragement grant us the grace to live in harmony with one another – Amen
(cf. Rom 15:5).
Saint Maximilian Mary
Kolbe – Pray for us.
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