Beyond the Clouds by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. | Page 47

How many white crosses in the cemeteries of Berlin, Germany, and Nettuno,
Italy remind us of the wrathful wars which still have found no cease; and the
habitual prayers for soldiers who continue to make the ultimate sacrifice. It is
for them we remember 100 years of the end of World War I this November
2018, solemnly rejoicing for that brief moment of peace before the second
arrived.
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"No more war.”
I was in St. Peter’s Square on that March afternoon, when St. John Paul II
cried those words from the window of the Papal Palace in 2003. The United
States had been in the Iraq War for over a year, and other countries were
preparing to follow suit. In his old age, this man of such wisdom and right
judgment further continued to the crowd, “I belong to that generation that
lived through World War II and, thanks be to God, I survived it. I have the
duty to say to all young people, those who are younger than I, who have not
had this experience: “No more war,” as Pope Paul VI said during his first visit
to the United Nations. We must do everything possible. We know well that
peace is not possible at any price. But we all know we have this great
responsibility. Therefore, prayer and penance.”
As you read these lines, take a moment to pay homage to the unknown soldier;
the unsung heroes of everyday life. We remember the victorious Generals, but
who remembers his foot soldiers? Perhaps only his parents and dear ones. Yet
without his sacrifice, to what glory would the General have?
Let us divert our route now to the airplane. We are well accustomed to the
aircrew, especially the stewards who welcome us with an unfailing smile,
always serving us without complaint throughout the flight until we disembark.
How many of us will take their smile seriously? Do we experience a sense of
gratitude for their service? Some of us might appreciate them, while others
consider them as part of their ticket. We take our bags and leave!
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