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| The Alcove at Sacred Heart Parish in Miles City |
It is in the heart of most parents to give their children
the opportunities that they never had. This is a noble intention. But I do not
think this goes far enough. The pursuit of the American dream can
become materialistic. When this becomes a reality, life and liberty is
shipwrecked in the desire to want more. Few pursue storing up treasure in
heaven. I am not a parent, so it has taken me years to see that the best
opportunity parents can give their children is eternal life. I see this now in
the life of my parents.
In 2004, my mother suffered a stroke. Since then my father
has taken care of his wife, my mother, almost continually. Now he is the lone
caregiver and attributes all that he does to Jesus and Mary. He has never
given up his vocation. I see how their relationship has deepened in these past
years. My father spends time each day praying before the Blessed Sacrament. As he puts it, “I give Jesus and Mary
two hours, they give me twenty-two.” I rarely see him without his rosary. As
the child so blessed to have the privilege of being their son, I catch
a glimpse what this vocation is all about.
Mary: An Example for
Us All
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the
Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception is a very special gift given
to Mary, the mother of Jesus, by God. It was not by anything that Mary did. God’s desire to be
reconciled to His creation is at the heart of what He did for Mary. Jesus could
come to us in no other way. Because of Mary we all can receive eternal life
through her son.
Saint Mom and Saint
Dad
When a child becomes a saint, the parents are honored. How much more should we storm the gates of the New Jerusalem on
behalf of those who gave us life? Who raised us? And in their desire for us to
“have it better than they did,” still pattern for us the love Christ has for
His Church.
Thank your parents for giving you life! Thank Mary for
giving us Jesus. Thank Jesus for giving us eternal life. Let us make every
effort to keep this gift by living a life of holiness. Put all that is not of
God away from us and live out our ultimate vocation, eternal life!
Be not
afraid. Stand strong in the faith. Don’t let anyone take this precious gift of
God away from you.
Ave Maria!
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