from Wikipedia
Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv., (Polish: Maksymilian Maria Kolbe; 8 January 1894 – 14 August 1941) was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz, located in German-occupied Poland during World War II.It is a story that invites us to stop and reflect on the meaning of our own baptismal commitment, in particular in relationship with others who are God's children. In recent months Pope Francis has reminded us that to live with our faith is to live with the promise and challenge of Jesus Christ. His Passion, death, and resurrection, cannot be a 'get out of responsibility' card. As in Mark's Gospel, if we are to be dedicated disciples then we have to be comfortable in taking up our cross, on a daily basis, and become faithful to the ways of Christ.
To be sure most of us will never be called to the dramatic response of Maximilian, but the love for others can involve hardship, and even distress and pain. In the last several Sundays of Ordinary time we will follow Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. We will be privy to his instruction that a life of faith and faithfulness must include a full dedication and devotion to the Word of God made flesh. So we respect our own dignity, and the dignity and integrity of other men and women. Virtues such as charity, chastity, compassion, and forgiveness, are the means by which we convey the sacred we possess, with our brothers and sisters.
From one story that I had read, what seemed to infuriate the guards was that Maximilian took so long to die. Each time they entered his cell, he was standing or kneeling in prayer. Truth and goodness have a way of bothering those beset by Sin and Evil. It is important that we pray for that same sort of wisdom, strength and grace, to stand against sinfulness, and learn to always do good for others. We need to be a sign an symbol to the world that Christ remains in our midst.
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