Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Today's Mass Readings

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Few books have the power to make sense of life, and yet this book does exactly that. Dr. Randy Pausch was a young, gifted professor who taught at Carnegie Mellon University. He made a name for himself working in computer programming and research. He had quite a talent for setting high goals and then achieving them. He was very successful and had a beautiful, young family. Then, he went to the doctor for a health ailment and discovered he had pancreatic cancer. He committed himself to multiple treatments, but the cancer did not go into remission despite this. Randy and his wife came to grips with the fact that his death was inevitable. He reflected on his limited time and decided to give a last lecture. College professors have a tradition of giving a lecture that they would want their students to know if it were their last time speaking. Randy Pausch gave a literal one. He described his early experience as a student and then as a teacher. He described how he fell in love with his wife Leah and eventually won her heart. The Last Lecture deals with themes of rights and responsibilities, loyalty and honesty, optimism and realism, and most importantly, making a lasting contribution in life in the face of death.

Today, we honor the lives of St. Paul Miki and his companions, who gave their lives for Christ. They found meaning in Christ’s life and were willing to sacrifice their own lives for it. They knew Jesus could heal any illness and wound, even death itself. Jesus is the one who brings meaning to life and gives us Eternal Life in the end.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB