For the past seven months, I have been eagerly anticipating and preparing for the National Eucharistic Congress. This historic event of over 60,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis and countless more watching on livestream was our official launch of Six Months or Less.
Six Months or Less (SMOL) is a call to live each day as if we have six months or less to live. We wake up each morning with the belief that we may meet Jesus soon so we strive to cleanse our soul in preparation for that reality. We believe that the most important two moments in life are “now and at the hour of our death.” SMOL is a training camp designed to get us spiritually fit the best way possible so that we are at peace and ready, knowing we can depart from this world to the next in an instant. SMOL offers many tools to remind us that we need to be ready every minute to meet our Savior.
On Saturday, July 13th, 2024; the television was on as I was packing up and preparing for a long road trip. The tragic Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania was on. I stopped and glanced at the TV and watched live the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. I was in shock watching it live. I immediately assumed that the shot fired was a kill shot as I saw blood on the former President’s face. I immediately called Nancy and asked her to pray for the former President and for all the people at the rally.
The world found out later that Donald Trump miraculously (and it truly was a miracle) survived the shot. Unfortunately, one rally attendee was fatally shot and two other attendees were critically wounded. This was a sad day for America, no matter what our political beliefs are.
Within two hours, the world knew that Donald Trump’s injury was not severe; that two rally goers suffered critical wounds, and that one attendee suffered a fatal shot.
This event was a profound lesson in living Six Months Or Less. No one at the rally would have anticipated such an evil act was about to take place near them. It was a joyful celebration until the first shot rang out. Many more souls could have transitioned from this world to the next. They say the former President was millimeters away from death, and a quick turn of his head saved his life. The other two survivors were also given an extension on life and an opportunity to live SMOL.
The victim that lost his life, Corey Comperatore, is a heroic example of living SMOL. He was a beloved husband and father of two daughters. According to Comperatore’s family, “He was a committed Christian who found peace and joy through our church”. When Corey knew his wife and children were in danger, he dove on his family to protect them from harm. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”, John 15:13.
To live SMOL is to embrace mystery and not question our Savior’s plans. It remains a mystery and miracle that Donald Trump survived. It is all part of God’s plan.
An interesting fact about the attempt assassination on Donald Trump. The gun fire that ripped through his ear (not his temple) was at exactly 6:11 PM. In Ephesians 6:11, Saint Paul instructs us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
To live SMOL, follow Saint Paul’s instructions and put on the armor of God.
Don’t live small, live SMOL. Prepare. Wear the Armor of God before the bullets fly.
Live #SMOL
