Praying and Fasting for Freedom

The end of May marks a very important holiday, Memorial Day here in the United States of America. We have been celebrating this day since the end of the Civil War, when Americans chose to honor those who gave their lives in military service and sacrifice for freedom and country.

For a Catholic response to this holiday, we can also honor the spirit of the day in fasting and prayer for all those we know and love who have lived lives of service and sacrifice for the good of others in the name of freedom around the world.

• Freedom of Religion.
• Freedom from war.
• Freedom from Communism and Socialism.
• Freedom from tyranny.
• Freedom of speech.
• Freedom from trafficking.
• All Freedom!

Fasting and prayer is a great way to sacrifice for the good of others – especially for freedom at this time. It doesn’t need to be done throughout the whole Memorial Weekend, but possibly on Memorial Day itself. Something to consider all throughout the summer as we celebrate other patriotic holidays as well.

Sacrifice is simply giving up one good for a higher good. We give up a little sugar in return for a bit of hunger – offering that small sacrifice paired with a Hail Mary for a person we know who is currently in the military. For me this would be my nephew, Fr. Jacob Meyer, currently a Catholic Navy Chaplain serving overseas.

Jesus showed us how to suffer for others.

He made the ultimate sacrifice through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. He did it for our well-being — that we might have life and have it abundantly.

Let us stand firm and continue to celebrate this beautiful Memorial Day holiday all week that traditionally marks the advent of summer, in the spirit of freedom. May we remember all who have served and sacrificed on our behalf for the freedoms that we practice every day.

Let us also recall that Jesus went first. He was the First One — willing to suffer for us so that we would know that our true freedom is with Him.