In the Word: I’d Rather Die
By Jonathan Camiolo
This weekend’s first reading reminded me of St. Maria Goretti.
She was “born in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, on October 16 1890; her farm worker father moved his family to Ferrier di Conca, near Anzio. Her father died of malaria and her mother had to struggle to feed her children. In 1902 an eighteen-year-old neighbor, Alexander, grabbed her from her steps and tried to rape her. When Maria said that she would rather died than submit, Alexander began stabbing her with a knife. As she lay in the hospital, she forgave Alexander before she died. Her death didn't end her forgiveness, however.
Alexander was captured and sentenced to thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden. Maria was there and gave him flowers. When he woke, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life. When he was released after 27 years he went directly to Maria's mother to beg her forgiveness, which she gave. "If my daughter can forgive him, who am I to withhold forgiveness," she said.” (Story found at http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=78)
Maria was a young woman just like the young men in the first reading that were willing to die rather than disobey God’s law. They were so deeply convicted that nothing could take away that certainty, not even the threat of death. I wish I had that courage and faith. I strive for it. What about you? Usually it is not death that we are threatened with, but when it comes time to obey God’s law at a difficult time, to do the right and moral thing, how do you respond? How will you respond? Let us all pray for St. Maria Goretti’s intercession that we would have the courage and strength that she did.
Think. Pray. Decide. Change.
You are loved! Pray for me this week and I will pray for you…promise!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
