Today we celebrate Memorial Day.\u00a0 It has taken on various meanings.\u00a0 For many it marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season.\u00a0 In New York State it is the time when people plant most of their gardens, assured that there will be no more frosts after Memorial Day.\u00a0 Corresponding to the “no more frost” theory, it is the day that many people visit cemeteries to put flowers on the graves of their loved ones.\u00a0 This is the closest to the original purpose\u00a0 of the Memorial Day holiday.<\/p>\n
The exact origin of Memorial Day\u00a0is uncertain (see http:\/\/www.usmemorialday.org\/backgrnd.html<\/a>).\u00a0 Celebrations of Memorial Day date back at least to May 30, 1868.\u00a0 It was a day to honor those who had died in the Civil War.\u00a0 Since then it has become a day to honor all who have died in service of our country.<\/p>\n So I encourage you to take a moment today to pray for all the men and women who have died in service of our country.\u00a0 War is never desirable.\u00a0 There should never be armed conflict.\u00a0 War is seldom justified.\u00a0 The Catholic Church gives seven criteria for a\u00a0“Just War”.\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 There has been (and continues to be) much debate as to whether the “wars” in Iraq and Afghanistan are justified.\u00a0 That is not <\/em><\/strong>what I want to talk about today.\u00a0 While war should always be avoided whenever possible, whenever there is war, whether we agree with it or not, we need to pray for all those involved (on both sides).<\/p>\n We pray for our world leaders, that they always strive for peace through diplomacy, and when they make a decision for military action, that it be quick and only as necessary.<\/p>\n We pray for our military leaders, that as they plan military actions, that they strike only true “military” or terrorist targets, avoiding the loss of innocent life.<\/p>\n We pray for the individual soldiers, for their safety. While they are not responsible for the decision to fight and the planning of attacks, we also pray for them to always seek to avoid collateral damage and the loss of life.<\/p>\n Lastly, on this Memorial Day, we pray for all who have died defending our nation and standing up for freedom and all that is good.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today we celebrate Memorial Day.\u00a0 It has taken on various meanings.\u00a0 For many it marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season.\u00a0 In New York State it is the time when people plant most of their gardens, assured that there will be no more frosts after Memorial Day.\u00a0 Corresponding to the “no more frost” theory, …<\/p>\n