To be or not to be, that is the question of William Shakespeare.  Mary existed.  She was immaculate from her conception.  She knew what was true, good and beautiful and pursued it.  So God, after her death, took her into His presence.  She was ascended into heaven.  Regardless of what you hear or hope for, none of us will come close to what Mary knows. God gives each of us the dignity of human life.  Through Jesus that life is sanctified.  Our goal is to be grateful for God’s goodness and to pursue truth, goodness and beauty and to eventually reach the presence of God.  So for us life is Sacred.  It is to be cherished and protected.  Our own life and the life of others deserve our utmost attention.   From the moment of conception, we reverence and respect life, doing all we can to nourish and protect it.  If we are unjustly attacked or see others in danger, God expects us to use whatever means there are available to safely guard our own life and that of others.  God expects us also to use every reasonable means to safeguard our health and that of those in our care.  We are to guard against dangers, eat and drink reasonably and to use moderation in our use of God’s gifts of nourishment and pleasure.  Exercising care in following our doctor’s guidance is a wise course to follow.  An intelligent person does not eat or drink everything he wants or likes, but uses only what he needs.  I knew a man who believed that if one pill was good, then two or more would be better.  So he lived (for awhile) by that conviction.  One day he visited me, took too many pills, was eating while driving, crashed and became completely dependent and shortly after – he died.   Life is a precious gift.  To know and experience the beauty of all God’s creation, to know God’s goodness and live by His truth is a treasure.  To love and be loved is priceless.  It is beyond description. So enjoy life and God’s goodness to you.  Protect it with all reasonable means.  Treasure the journey God gave you until you arrive in His kingdom. When we need to punish those who endanger our rights, we need to be sure the punishment is consistent with the severity of the crime.  In severe dangers, we may use extreme measures to protect ourselves or others and to safeguard our freedoms.  The assailant must take the consequences.  In exercising capital punishment, it is today generally accepted by individual authorities that death penalties do not achieve what was desired. Generally a healthy principle is to keep a high regard for our own life and health and that of others.  You have troubles sometimes with the life God gave you?!  My brother Knights, we all have storms along with sunlight.  As we proceed to the sixth command….  God bless you.

Fr. Don