Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
These readings today remind me of my grandparents, Bill and Peggy Burkhart. I know I have talked about my dear aunt Mary Joel Burkhart before. She was nine months old when she passed away on January 8, 1966—72 years earlier, St. Maximilian Kolbe was born on that date! My grandparents felt like the whole world didn’t make sense, but the love and support that they had for each other through it all was beautiful. I remember calling my grandmother on January 8th one year and telling her a happy heavenly birthday to Aunt Mary. She said to me, “Br. Maximilian, that was the first thing I thought of today! I don’t know why the Lord took her away from me, but call me crazy, I also still see her today sitting on Jesus’ lap!” Not crazy at all!
There is another couple who I think of about these readings. They are on their way to sainthood! I like to call them the power couple of the 21st century, though they lived in the 20th century. Takashi and Midori Nagai. Takashi was an atheist, and through his future wife, Midori’s prayers through the Immaculata, the Blessed Mother, he converted to Catholicism! They were Japanese and lived in Nagasaki. Takashi was an X-ray doctor and knew St. Maximilian Kolbe when he came over to Japan in 1930. Sadly, Takashi got radiation poisoning due to poor protection from radiation while X-raying many people. He said to himself before breaking the news to his wife, “Midori will be with me and take care of me in my dying days!” Sadly, on August 9, 1945, it was he who found his wife’s charred bones after the atomic blast. He knew it was Midori because of the rosary that had melted in her hand. He didn’t get mad, but rather prayed a rosary for his wife’s soul, took her, and buried her in the nearby cemetery. The love that they had for each other and childlike confidence in God brought them both together when Takashi died May 1, 1951. I truly believe this couple will be saints!
Always have childlike confidence in God, and with his strength you will be at peace, and nothing will be impossible!
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections