HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT MAXMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR. (2)

HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT MAXMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR.

THEME: Go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.

BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Wisdom 3:1-9
Psalm 115:10-13,16-17
John 15:12-16

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
RED

*INTRODUCTION*
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the renowned Saint Maximilian Kolbe, whose actions should be great inspiration for us all in how we ought to live our lives as faithful, loving and devoted Christians. Saint Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish priest and missionary well-remembered for his works and dedication to God, in proclaiming Him to many people throughout his missions, in his time and efforts spent to reveal more of the Lord to those who have not yet known him.

*HIS VOCATION CALLING AND WORKS*
As a Conventual Franciscan, Saint Maximilian Kolbe spent some time in the Far East, in Japan and other places in Asia, in spreading the Good News of God, and was also active in promoting the devotion to the Blessed Mother of God, Mary in her Immaculate Heart and love for all of us. Saint Maximilian Kolbe was also remembered for his publications and editorial works with the periodical Knights of the Immaculata, promoting devotions to the Lord and His Blessed Mother, calling on Christians to holiness. Eventually he returned to Poland where during the years of the Second World War, he was eventually arrested and brought to the infamous Auschwitz prison, where he and other priests and friars were incarcerated. It was there then another very well-known action that Saint Maximilian Kolbe did, happened, as he offered himself in exchange of a Polish inmate who was to be executed because he failed to escape from the concentration camp.

*HIS FAMOUS MARTYRDOM OF DYING ON BEHALF OF SOMEBODY*
At that time, the NAZI German regime oppressed many of the people and they indiscriminately tortured and executed many people in the many concentration camps they established, especially in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Many tried to escape, and while some succeeded, many including that Polish man failed and were bound to be executed. When that man, named Franciszek Gajowniczek cried out, ‘My wife! My children!’, Saint Maximilian Kolbe offered his life in exchange of the man. Hence, Saint Maximilian Kolbe was led to the execution cell, and was eventually executed after several days, dying as a martyr and a true Christian, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the Lord and doing what God Himself has done for us, that is to give his life for the sake of another, just as Christ Himself has suffered and died, and given His life for us and our salvation.

*CONCLUSION*
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today all of us are reminded that we should also be like Saint Maximilian Kolbe, he truly loved the Lord and loved his fellow brothers and sisters, even to the point of facing hardships, trials and even martyrdom in doing so. Let us all be truly faithful once again to the Lord, and let us all be inspiration and great examples to one another in faith just as Saint Maximilian Kolbe and other saints have been our inspiration. May God be with us always and may He bless and empower us in each and every moments of our lives, now and forevermore.
Saint Maxmilian Kolbe, Pray For Us Sinners.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

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