• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Online Masses
    • Passionist Online Masses and Services
  • 300th Jubilee
    • Jubilaeum Video
    • Opening Mass of the Passionist Jubilee Year
    • Video: 300th Jubilee – English
    • Video: Jubileo Pasionista – Español
    • Jubilee Icon Itinerary
    • Jubilee Resources
    • Jubilee Song
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Passionist Magazine
      • Passionist Magazine, Spring 2020
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Haiti
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Vision Fulfillment Newsletters
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Fr. Nicholas Divine, CP, Ordination
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
      • Reunions
      • 2019 Passionist Alumni Reunion
      • Welcome
      • Letter from the Provincial
        • These Men We Call Our Brothers
      • Mission Statement
      • CrossRoads Bulletin
      • Alumni Enrollment Form
        • Alumni Survey
      • Reunion Photo Gallery
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day in the USA

Scripture:

Acts 16:11-15
John 15:26-16:4a

Reflection:

At the start of every family car trip, my mother and father would intone, "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary…" to entrust our safety to the Mother of God through praying the Memorare.  With reference to the same prayer when gathering for various occasions, my father enjoyed saying, "Here we are, sinful and sorrowful."

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a national holiday that invites us "to remember" those in our families and communities who have bravely served our country in time of war and strife, and who have died in this service.  The very word "remember" means so much more than just a simple recalling of past events or people.  The Latin root of the word is memor, which means being mindful or being aware.  It means making real again in our hearts and minds an important experience or person.

I have always been drawn to good storytellers.   A well written book, a classic movie, or a modern troubadour creates in very compelling ways an experience that draws me in because their story taps something profoundly important in me.  It helps me remember…to make real again what I may have forgotten.  The people of Israel were tremendous storytellers.  Throughout the scriptures, we hear prophets and kings pleading with the people to remember how gracious God has been to them.  They tell over and again the stories of God intervening in their lives.  It is when they forget (unable to remember) that disaster descends upon them.

So this day, let us remember.  Let us bring to heart and mind those people who have loved us and those events that have shaped us.  Let us find a way to tell one particular story that makes very real again our experience of how much God loves us.

 

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and is the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Footer

Facebook Feed

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2021 | Log in