June 03rd - Charles Lwanga and his Companions

Charles Lwanga is the patron of youth and Catholic action, because of his great care and protection of youth. His is a lesson for us today. It is not a weakness but predatory actions which cause so much pain. Sin is recognizable, and it cannot be justified by our desires, or custom. Children need to be taught and protected while we teach them. They must learn that there is evil in the world but they need not experience that evil in order to know it is there. They are innocent and need to be taught lessons of charity not just taught a lesson.
Children do not need to be denied the knowledge of evil. They need to be taught to recognize it, in themselves and in others. Our actions and examples as adults dictate their ability to know and fight evil. Charles' gift of his life inspired the children he taught to understand their worth and the means that others would use to take that worth away. We pray that Charles help us to act in the world to fight injustice but also to spread charity and thereby overcome injustice.

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Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?"


-- John 21:20-23