Happy Memorial Day. I’m just getting back from one of our most successful and meaningful Making All Things New retreats. I met so many great people, all trying to improve themselves: body, mind, and spirit. St. Ignatius called that approach cura personalis (care for the whole person). Sometimes we think that such thoughts/concepts are new, but Ignatius was writing about a whole person approach almost 500 years ago. Thanks to everyone who participated, and I’m very grateful for all those who helped make everything go so well.
Back to Memorial Day. It’s wonderful to have a three day weekend, to enjoy time with friends and family, maybe catch up on some rest or yard work, but let’s not forget why we have this holiday. It’s a reminder to every person living in the United States today that countless lives were lost for the freedoms which we enjoy and often take for granted. The majority of those who have lost their lives fighting for our country died young. Their adult lives were just beginning, and I’m sure they had dreams of happy, fulfilling and long lives spent with friends and loved ones. May God bless them for their sacrifice, and may they rest in peace.