In the Gospel of John 15:13, Jesus gives us the ultimate definition of love: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Today, we honour Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who lived this truth to the absolute limit. In 1941, inside the horror of the Auschwitz concentration camp, a prisoner escaped. In retaliation, the camp commanders selected ten random men to be starved to death. One of those chosen was Franciszek Gajowniczek, a husband and a young father who collapsed in tears, crying out for his wife and children.
Supernatural Courage
Moved by supernatural courage, Father Kolbe stepped out of the ranks. He did not know this man, yet he chose to die for him because he recognised that Franciszek had a family depending on him. Maximilian, as a priest, saw his life as a gift to be given, and he chose to shield that family from the agony of losing a father.
Where did he find the strength to make such an exchange? The secret lay in his radical devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he tenderly called the Immaculata. As a young boy, Maximilian received a vision of the Virgin Mary holding two crowns: a white one for purity and a red one for martyrdom. When she asked which he chose, he fearlessly answered, “I choose both.” From that moment on, his life belonged entirely to her.
Maximilian taught that Mary does not distract us from Christ as some might erroneously submit. Instead, Mary is the straightest, safest path to her Son. It was Mary’s maternal love that shaped Maximilian’s heart to be so fearless. Because he trusted her completely, he was able to bring Christ’s light into the darkest pit of human hatred. Inside the starvation cell, he led Franciszek’s fellow prisoners in praying the Rosary and singing hymns to the Virgin Mary, transforming a place of execution into a chapel of praise.
Called to Sacrifice
In life, most of us will never face a choice as dramatic as Kolbe’s. Yet we are called to the same daily sacrifice. We can imitate Saint Maximilian everyday by entrusting our anxieties to the maternal protection of Mary and allowing ourselves to be taught by Mary how to love. We can choose quiet patience over anger when our ego is wounded.
In our workplace, school or neighbourhood, we can choose to stand up for someone who is bullied or marginalised. We should not forget the civic courtesy of giving up our seats in public transport or public places for elders or pregnant women. This is part of how to show love that is sacrificing in imitation of Christ through the intercession of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
Today, let us place ourselves in the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She will always mold us into the image of her Son, giving us the courage to lay down our lives for others. Let us carry with us the powerful words of Saint Maximilian himself, which sum up his entire life and mission: “Hatred is not a creative force. Only love is a creative force.”
