St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe has become a spiritual director for me. Having learned he was my namesake, I sought out to learn his story in the hope that something may resonate with me. And what I discovered was a man constantly giving, full of courage, and his endurance in suffering.
 
While in Auschwitz, St. Maximilian Kolbe sacrificed not only his time and security by meeting with others to pray and hear confessions (something that if caught would’ve received severe punishment) but, also his physical wellbeing by sharing his already devastated cut food rations with others.
 
This constant giving to others struck me, as in my own life I find it hard to think about those around me. To think about how my words or actions impact them, or how their needs may precede mine, and even in those few moments I try to be accommodating, there seems to be an underlying selfishness to it all.
 
And yet, here is St. Maximilian Kolbe, in that place where every man was beaten down physically and spiritually, to the point that their own survival became the dominant fear on their everyday minds, giving to others so gracefully. How could I give to others in that situation, when I hardly give myself to them in a place of comfort? I thought to myself before it struck me, that this all came out of a deep and true love of his neighbor.
 
After a prisoner escaped, St. Maximilian and his fellow prisoners were lined up, awaiting the decision if they would be one of the ten killed in that prisoner's place. After a man was chosen, he broke down crying and pleading it not be him for the sake of his wife and children, St. Maximilian stepped forth (against the rules) and said:
“I would like to take that man’s place. He has a wife and children.”
“Who are you?”
“A priest.”
The Commandant agreed, and St. Maximilian was sent to starve to death with the nine others. In a moment where that fear of death was pounding in the minds of all the inmates, St. Maximilian saved a life by giving his.
 
This sacrifice is so awestrucking because of how easily he was able to stand up to deep-rooted hatred, to share God’s love. Often times, I find myself retreating away from even the simple expressions of love such as saying grace when around strangers out of a fear that they would mock me. Yet, St. Maximilian could stand up to the Nazis, risking not only his life but maybe possibly even the man’s life, to share it. But, it worked, the man was saved and St. Maximilian was able to save nine other’s souls.
 
While locked in a room, with no food and the only water their own micturition, St. Maximilian lead them in frequent prayers, heard their confessions, and wished the conversion of those imprisoning him. He used his immense suffering as an offering to the Lord.
 
I suffer, too, though not as intense a way. Yet, do I ever offer that suffering to God? When it’s cold, I don’t say a Hail Mary or a Glory Be. When I’m behind on homework, I instead give up sleep. And when I’m hungry, I go and get something to eat. If St. Maximilian in these moments of great suffering can still find closeness to God, then so should I in the mild inconveniences of day to day life. 
 
He eventually died in that room, though not from starvation, but lethal injection. The Nazis had gotten impatient with the prolonged death.
 
St. Maximilian shows how to take as a standard for our lives and our actions; the insanity that constitutes all saints, the love for others, and the love for God. Obviously, it is hard, especially on our part, but he shows us that it is possible to continuously love.
 
And so, I encourage us all to pray more. Pray to St. Maximilian Kolbe, that we may be able to dedicate our lives to God and for others. Pray to the Blessed Mother that we gain a tender love for those whom we fear. And pray to the Lord that in and through our suffering we may grow closer to him on the cross.