WINNEBAGO—Bishop David Malloy reflected on the sacrifices of service members and offered prayers for peace in war-torn parts of the world at the annual Memorial Day Mass held at Calvary Cemetery.
“As we gather for Mass today, we pray in this deepest and most solemn way…for those who have sacrificed their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy today,” Bishop Malloy said in his homily.
“The sacrifice of military service walks a fine line, because it is linked to the violence of battle. It’s a reflection on the brokenness of our world,” he said. “The sacrifices we pray for at this Mass must be connected to peace. The desert must become an orchard, and the orchard, a forest.”
“Our refrain cries out that God speaks of peace between His people,” Bishop Malloy said. “It is His peace in our…hearts that we seek. Not simply the peace of power, but the peace that converts hearts.”
Bishop Malloy encouraged those gathered to recall some of Christ’s final words to His disciples. “Before entering into the brutality of His crucifixion, Jesus says that it is His peace He gives us. The peace of God is not a temporary thing coming and going; it is the peace of eternity in His own love.”
“May God bless us, may God bless our freedoms because of our prayers and examples,” he said. “May God bless Pope Leo and his new encyclical, which deals in part with the new forms of war that are coming … all this is a contribution that seeks the peace which comes from our faith. It is the never-ending peace that Christ promises.”
At the final blessing, Bishop Malloy recognized active-duty military and veterans. A light breakfast reception was held after the Mass.
