Historical Misrepresentation: How Many "Heroes" Were Really Villains...?

...and how many villains were really heroes? These are serious questions. As they say, the winners write the history. So always look at the reports from biased contemporaries with a jaundiced eye. Politicians who win don't make trustworthy critics of their political enemies. Neither do the losers for that matter. A little time is necessary to evaluate the real impact of movers and shakers. 

Thought for the Day on Conquering Heroes!

Who is she who comes forth as the morning
rising...terrible as an army set in battle array?

When you think of conquerors who comes to mind? Alexander the Great? George Washington? Julius Caesar? Constantine? Napoleon? Genghis Kahn? Charlemagne? The Conquistadores? Attila the Hun? 

We think of some of these warriors with respect and others with horror. What does it mean to be a conqueror and what is the greatest victory over defeat? 

The answer came to me this morning in The Imitation of Mary:

Of what value are all the heroes the word admires, as compared with the great men religion produces through the practice of virtue? 

It is a more spendid thing to conquer one's own passions than to conquer nations.

It is much less difficult to conquer others than to conquer oneself. 

The true Christian is not the kind of hero who owes his heroism to circumstances; he is not the accidental hero of a passing hour but a hero throughout a lifetime.

His glory is that he overcomes the obstacles in his path; his goal is to possess God and find rest in Him. Can there be a greater honor than to serve God and belong to Him? "To serve God is to rule."

Who is the greatest human conqueror in history? Our Lady. Let us walk in her footsteps which lead straight to Jesus!

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recoourse to thee. 

Jim Caviezel is a Hero. The Libs Have Labeled Him a Conspiracy Theorist. He has all the Right Enemies! God bless him!

Pray for Jim Caviezel and for all those involved with exposing child trafficking! May God increase God's warriors. Fight the darkness. Protect children.

"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid!"

Michael Matt Pegs It: How Many Time in HIstory Has One Man Stood Against the Crowd...

 ...and changed history? As Michael Matt puts it, "One Man with God's help can make sleeping giants wake." 

In Biblical history we see it again and again:

RIP, Jeremiah Denton, Vietnam Prisoner of War, Model Catholic and Hero

Jeremiah Denton at his homecoming in 1973

I have admired and loved Jeremiah Denton since I read years ago his personal testimony, When Hell Was in Session, about the "Hanoi Hilton." He became famous for blinking in Morse Code the word torture during a propaganda interview televised internationally. I'm not sure whether he wrote this in his book or I saw it in a later article, but I was struck by his description of the trauma of returning to the U.S. After eight years as a POW he arrived home and driving from the airport was shocked at billboards and other signs of a growing depravity in our country.

Suppose someone who died in the '50s was miraculously raised and returned today? What do you think he would say about the country and world we live in? How would he respond to front page news? What would he say about security at our airports, not to mention in our schools and many public buildings? What would he think about the terrorist barriers erected around the White House and the Capitol? How would he respond to billboards advertising XXX adult bookstores and "gentlemen's clubs?"

If someone showed him videos and articles from Waco, Ruby Ridge, 9/11, the Boston marathon bombing, police murder of innocent people, etc. how would he react? What would he think about public officials shilling for abortion and sodomy?

He would probably think he was dropped into an X-rated, depraved Twilight Zone.

Read Denton's obituary at the Washington Post (linked below). It mentions his establishment of the Coalition for Decency and his efforts to strengthen the American family. I pray he is not the end of a dying breed of courageous Catholic men, but that his heroic example will encourage others to pick up the baton and move forward! May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., Vietnam POW and former U.S. senator, dies at 89

Blessed Karl of Austria and Empress Zita, Please Intercede for Virginia

I can't imagine two more appropriate souls to intercede for our poor state as she sees a monumental battle between the forces of life and death. Terry McAuliffe is not only committed to the murder of unborn children and the destruction of traditional marriage, he is among the most corrupt politicians of our time. He has devoted his entire career to selling influence for campaign donations.. He earned his millions from corrupt deals (Read about just one here.) To think of him taking over the governor's house in a state that gave our nation many of our Founding Fathers is nauseating. But with Planned Parenthood and the Bloomberg Foundation and other outside sources pouring millions into his campaign (Three out of every four dollars is from outside.), he has a definite money advantage. But we can counterbalance that advantage with what McAuliffe will never have: our own prayers and the intercession of holy men and women. And so I offer two today to pray for Ken and Teiro Cuccinelli especially, but also for the entire pro-life Virginia ticket, namely

Blessed Karl of Austria and his empress Zita Catholic monarchs and parents of eight children

How Do We Keep Our Children Catholic? Give them Heroes!

I think there are many approaches to this question. Think of how Jesus taught in a way to capture the hearts and minds of those who followed Him. He told stories.

• "Once there was a man traveling along the road to Jericho...."
• "Once there was a young man who went to his father and asked, 'Father, give me my inheritance...'"
• "Once there were ten virgins with lighted lamps waiting for the bridegroom to come...."

Stories capture the mind and heart. And not just fictional stories. Some of the most compelling stories are true. When I taught fourth grade, my students loved to hear stories of the saints. The boys especially loved the most gruesome stories of the martyrs. Was it because they were a bloodthirsty lot? I don't think so. I think boys want to hear about those who are bold, heroic, and defend others. Horatius at the bridge is a compelling secular story that presents a hero. Saints are heroes and heroines. And so we should tell our children stories about them.

St. Isaac Jogues lived among the Indians, facing death at almost every moment. The least thing could change the superstitious Indians from friends to enemies and their jealous medicine men used the "blackrobes" as scapegoats when tragedy struck. One of most exciting things about these Jesuit martyrs is that we have their own words describing what they experienced. Fr. Jogues described the death of his lay associate Rene Goupil who was murdered because he made the sign of the cross on the head of a child. Two braves attacked him with tomahawks as he and Fr. Jogues walked in a ravine praying the rosary. For some reason they did not kill Fr. Jogues, but he held Rene in his arms as he died with the name of Jesus on his lips. I believe Kateri Tekawitha, born a decade later, was the fruit of the Jesuit martyrs' sacrifice. The lily of the Mohawks also suffered for the faith, a kind of white martyrdom. 

Read stories of the saints and tell them to your children: in the car, on walks, at bedtime. Give them real superheroes! And with Halloween coming, why not dress them up as little saints.  

St. Stephen, Pray for Us!

The first reading at Mass this morning was the stoning of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

The last thing he said before he died was "Lord, don't hold this sin against them." Can you imagine loving your murderers so much that you beg the judge for mercy while they are in the act of committing the murder? Wow!

Every morning I say the acts of faith hope and charity. The act of charity says, "O my Jesus, I love you with all my mind, heart, and strength and my neighbor as myself for love of you. I forgive all those who have sinned against me and ask pardon of all those whom I have sinned against through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Ah...how I wish I could be sure I really have forgiven those who have sinned against me since my own salvation depends on it. ("Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us....")  But I know how often past hurts come to mind and stir up anger in my heart once again. Part of that is the natural result of being a choleric/melancholic temperament. But, oh, how I wish I would see others through the eyes of Jesus and Mary and desire nothing more than their salvation no matter how much they may have hurt me.

Solomon asked for an understanding heart. Perhaps if I pray every day for an understanding heart it will change the way I see all those who touch my life whether with kindness or with cruelty. Lord Jesus, make me more like St. Stephen through Christ our Lord.

Is Michelle Obama a Good Role Model?

Occasionally, folks posting comments here ask why I "hate" Michelle Obama and have it in for her. She is, they claim, a great mom, a good role model, etc. Well, aside from the fact that I don't "hate" anybody no matter how evil their agenda, and acknowledging the fact that I'm sure Michelle loves her daughters, she is no role model. 

Let me make my case. First of all, we need heroes for role models. What qualities make a hero? Integrity, courage, kindness, generosity, compassion, sacrifice, humility, and a commitment to serving the common good. In other words, virtuous people who have a heart for the weakest and most vulnerable.

What is integrity if not absolute truthfulness or, as some have defined it, acting the same way when no one is looking. A person of integrity is a truth-teller. He may be mistaken at times, but he always speaks the truth to the best of his ability, takes responsibility for and corrects any mistakes he makes (humility), and refuses to take refuge in excuses (courage). In fact, with a person of integrity, what you see is what you get.

Is Michelle a person of integrity?

Praise God for this Miracle of Courage!

Channing Moss was impaled with a piece of live ordinance. The medical people could have followed protocol and let him die, but they saw the value of one human life and did what they had to do. What a miracle story! Get out the tissues and say a prayer of thansgiving.

Inspiration for Sunday: Use the Talents You Have!

When trials and tribulations come along you have two choices. Moan and groan about what you don't have and you've lost or work as hard as you can with what you have. The young men in the videos below are both blind and lost their sight to cancer. But look at their spirits!  I wish the stories had explored faith a little, but that's not on the media's radar screen. I'd love to know more about these families and their relationship to God. Because with God, all things are possible!

And You Think You Have Troubles: Ask Blessed Margaret for Help

I just finished reading Blessed Margaret of Costello by Fr. William Bonniwell, O.P. (for the second time). What a story. Born in 1287 in the papal state of Massa Trabaria in Italy to rich parents of the nobility (I can't call them nobel). Margaret was grossly deformed with one leg shorter than the other, a hunched back, ugly, and blind. Her parents, embarrassed by their daughter, hid her in the castle whenever guests arrived. Although the garrison of soldiers loved the bright little girl with the sunny disposition, she was unloved and unwanted by her parents. (Sound familiar?)

Fortunately, the priest of the castle recognized her great intelligence and began to form her in the faith from an early age. Despite the fact that she knew of her deformities, her parents often told her how ugly she was, Margaret did not grow bitter or angry. Already she reflected a saintly spirit of acceptance.

 

When Margaret was six her parents had a little cell built next to a church in the woods away from the castle.  Only the neighboring serfs and country folk worshiped there, none of their noble friends. They locked her into this tiny prison where she lived until she was 14. War broke out among rival states making it necessary for the women of the castle to move into their town home for security. There Margaret was again locked in, hidden in the cellar where she was instructed never to call out or make her presence known. She was fourteen. The cruelty of her parents would be unthinkable if we didn't live in an abusive culture ourselves.

Six years later when Margaret was 20, her parents heard of miracles occurring in the city of Costello over the mountains. They took their daughter there hoping for a cure. When she remained ugly and deformed they abandoned her. Imgaine, blind and deformed, in a strange town where you knew no one. Margaret was adopted by the outcasts and taught how to beg. And yet she never criticized her parents always defending them.

Margaret's story continues. Her sufferings didn't end with abandonment, but she had become such a holy little victim soul that she cheerfully accepted all and united them to those of Christ. Reading her story stirs the soul to humility. Most of us who grumble and complain about our troubles will never bear even a tenth of what this little unwanted woman endured. She teaches the way of suffering.

The book is available from Tan Books and well worth reading over and over. There's a novena to Blessed Margaret in the back.

A Hero Story from Haiti: Love Among the Ruins

Visit Orate Fratres for a hero story from Haiti. Love is a sign of contradiction that brings order out of chaos. To bury the dead is a corporal act of mercy. Pray for the poor people of this devastated country.

Modern Day David Subdues Goliath Gunman

We all need heroes and what a blessing it is to be able to report on one. David Benke, a Colorado middle school math teacher risked his life to tackle an assailant who opened fire in the school parking lot as kids left for the day. Three students were wounded, none fatally, before the gunman was wrestled to the ground and subdued by Benke and another teacher. But it was this modern day unarmed David who had the courage to attack the Goliath with a gun. Pray in thanksgiving for the courage of this teacher. The assault happened only three miles from Columbine High School. Read more here... and here....

Newborn Survives after a week-long burial in the rubble

Miracles in Jacmel, Haiti

I remember reading about Mother Teresa once showing an emaciated infant rescued from a dumpster to a reporter and saying with joy, "Look, there's life in her." Praise God for the rescue and survival of little Elizabeth and for the medical workers there on the scene enabling such joyful miracle stories.

No Greater Love: the Courage of Roy Benavidez

After you watch this incredible video go here for more. Pray for this courageous Catholic warrior who died in 1998. Rest in peace, Roy.

Heroes to Remember: Ed Freeman, November 20, 1927 – August 20, 2008

This story has been travelling around the internet since August, but it seems especially appropriate to post it at this time between Veterans Day when we honor our military and Thanksgiving when we express our gratitude for our blessings. Ed Freeman is one of those blessings. Ed would have been 81 this Friday, but the day of the assault he was a thirty something army captain, a helicopter pilot who put the welfare of men in the field above his own. When his commander, Major Bruce Crandall, asked for volunteers to fly into the battle zone, bring out the wounded, and deliver much needed ammunition and supplies, Ed responded. If you want to know more about these two courageous men get the 2002 Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers, based on the book, We Were Soldiers Once and Young.

Ed Freeman made 14 trips into that war zone hell; Bruce Crandall made 22. They certainly illustrate Jesus' statement, "No greater love is there than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends." Say a prayer of thanksgiving for real super-heroes like Ed and Bruce.

November 11, 1965. LZ X-ray, Vietnam.

You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley. Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out. Your family is 1/2 way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again.

As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day. Then - over the machine gun noise - you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter. You look up to see an unarmed Huey. But ... it doesn't seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.

Ed Freeman is coming for you.

He's not Medi-Vac so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway. And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses. And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! He took about 30 of you and your buddies out who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died last August at the age of 80, in Boise, Idaho. May God Rest His Soul.

I bet you didn't hear about this hero's passing, but we've sure seen a whole bunch about Michael Jackson.

Shame on the American media !!!

Remember the fallen.

9/11 is a memorial day.

It's a day to pray for the innocent who were ruthlessly murdered because of the hatred of a few. If you want to see the face of evil look at the black smoke and flames rising from the burning buildings and clouds of dust and debris filling the streets as the towers collapsed. Pray for the victims.

But don't only focus on the destruction. Remember the generosity of the rescuers, many of whom also died that day. Remember those who rushed to hospitals to donate blood, those who hurried to comfort their neighbors touched by disaster, the clergymen who rushed to the site to anoint, to pray, to listen, to comfort, to forgive. Pray for the hero-vicitms like Todd Beamer who didn't just sit on a plane in fear but, with his fellow passengers, prevented a plane from being the bomb that hit a Washington, D.C. target, perhaps the White House or the Capitol.

And pray for those who committed the evil as well: the plotters who organized it and the evil men who carried it out.

Remember, love always overcomes evil, because evil, like dark, is nothing. One match dispels the dark and one act of love defeats all evil.

9/11 didn't overcome America. It demonstrated the goodness in America's people.

America, America,

God mend thine every flaw;

Confirm they soul in self-control

Thy liberty in law.