Honoring Heroes: Remembering FBI Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger, Special Agent Daniel Alfin, Jesus and You
Jesus is the ultimate hero. I feel blessed 
that I somehow always knew that from an early age, probably instilled in me by the good Sisters whose message was always: Jesus Loves You. Underscoring their many lessons was the admonition: "Pray to Jesus and He will keep you safe." They were right, as always. Jesus keeps us safe, He keeps me safe. Heroes keep us safe. I have felt this acutely in the dark trials and losses in my life and it has sustained me.
In a sermon I heard years ago, the homilist spoke eloquently of Jesus as a Hero. He also said that when he met his childhood hero, he was very disappointed because he was a man of small stature, and not the giant he envisioned as a kid. He missed the point. Heroes do not need to be giants, nor do they relish spotlights or power. Heroes do, as Saint Mother Theresa said, "Ordinary things with extraordinary love."
And most sadly, we have recently lost two great heroes: Agents Laura Schwartzenberger, and Daniel Alfin of Miami. [see the profound story here1].
FBI officials said Schwartzenberger and Alfin had both dedicated their careers to working crimes against children cases. Both had spouses, children, loving family and friends. Both fought extraordinarily hard to rid the world of crimes against children and to make the world safe for them. Both gave their lives for this cause. We are in their debt. May God bless and comfort their families in this horrible time of grief and loss. They are now in the company of the ultimate hero, Jesus. The fruits of their labors and ultimate sacrifice will live on forever.
Our VIRTUS family is greatly saddened to hear of this horrible loss of those who never deserved such an untimely end. Heroes will continue their crusade in their spirit and with their inspiration. Our VIRTUS family is made of heroes, who, like Laura and Daniel, fight the "good fight" to protect children and vulnerable persons. Our heroes take their inspiration from Jesus, and along with Him, we greatly mourn the loss of two extraordinary people, Laura and Daniel, and the countless others who have given their lives to protect children and vulnerable persons. We salute them. We pray for them. We honor them and we continue to join in their crusade.
May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. May choirs of angels welcome you and lead you to the bosom of Abraham; and where Lazarus is poor no longer may you find eternal rest.
Reference
1 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/miami-archbishop-commends-heroism-of-catholic-fbi-agent-killed-in-the-line-of-duty-92684
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