As Lent Approaches, How Can We Show We Follow Jesus and No Other!
Growing up in my parish, I took my turn as an altar server. The seven o-clock mass seemed more like 3 AM crowded as it was with elderly Italian women. They always arrived early to recite the rosary before mass. Filomena was one endearing voice I remember. She prayed with the shrillest voice and swiftest pace, and she was aware of neither.
Along with the other immigrants, Filomena felt grateful and blessed by God to be in America. Her flamboyant praying and singing simply expressed her gratefulness for the joys and blessings she felt in her heart.
Filomena and the others wanted God to know how they cherished their newly found home in America. Their different friends, lively family, happiness with their faith, and everything else, needed an abundance of thankfulness. Filomena and her friends unabashedly and spontaneously echoed these items every morning in melodious Hail Mary(s) and appreciative hearts.
These women prayed because they felt special. America was now their priceless treasure, and they humbly had to thank God. Recently, while watching a World War II documentary, I glipsed how Americans both rich and not so rich sacrificed much to help that war effort.
Families gladly rationed food, everything from butter to eggs, and forfeited needed vegetables so our troops fighting abroad didn’t go hungry. My grandfather joined millions of Americans raising backyard “victory” gardens so that our fighting forces ate well.
Students and students of immigrants joined in helping other Americans by selling war bonds to build tanks and weapons. Joining the mighty “Rosie the Riveters” who left their homes daily to keep the economy going. It seemed Americans everywhere, especially immigrants and families of immigrants, willingly found ways to keep America sound, safe, and running.
In those days, American opinion coalesced around one purpose – victory. Participation then was a duty and honor to get through this moment and “Return America to normalcy again.” How I think we this attitude today! Keeping America, not simply great during this demanding present moment, but together and unified.
For whatever reasons, Americans today need to remember a shining common purpose overshadows individual needs and wants. Didn’t Jesus come to save everyone equally and not shutting any one out?
As we move closer to another season where Jesus highlights what he wants from each of his followers, let us remember what he offered all of us – the gift of eternal life. He did this without counting the cost just as men and woman die to keep our nation free without counting the cost.
As we celebrate this upcoming Lenten Season, may we, like Filomena, remember what really makes America great: it’s everyone sharing what’s right and good. And working together that spells GREATNESS! There is no other way!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all are created equal-that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
