"Jesus Leads Us to His Peace"

Seeking God's Peace

Otherness
Mattie's poem, School Nurse, is a simple poem but full of insight. Just 8 years old, Mattie was always noticing those around him, and appreciating their presence and their Heartsongs. Of course, having lived all his life in and out of hospitals, he knew many nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers, and Mattie certainly would have been a regular visitor to the school nurse. Can't you see him - quietly attentive to the comings and goings of the nurse's office? Watching Mrs. Rich care for scraped knees and sick children?

Indeed, Mattie was more than attentive to his surroundings. He was attentive to and tended to his fellow students who fell ill, got injured or who regularly needed to receive medications. Mrs. Rich was known to arrange Mattie's regular office visits with those of others and to ask Mattie to visit her office during recess or his free periods so that he could be there to comfort and inspire other students. Mattie would calm them down if scared; breathe with them; read poetry to them; pray with them.

Mattie is an inspiration while also being accessible to all. He was a suffering child with a broad smile who always turned attention away from himself and towards others, and who spent his life spreading God's messages of hope, peace and purpose.

9/11
His words and demeanor gave comfort when we needed it, but Mattie did not try to make us forget the bad. Rather, he sought to move us beyond - to move us forthward - into the light of truth and of Christ.

Somehow we have made it to 20 years after 9/11. And some things seem not to have changed. The air feels heavy and we grieve for those newly lost. But with Jesus as his role model, Mattie does not let us get stuck in despair or hopelessness.

September 11, 2001 would hit Mattie hard and it would shape Mattie's purpose for the remainder of his life. Mattie asked God what he should tell people now; what was next for his journey, and Mattie came through 9/11 with a more focused mission and message - peace.

Interestingly, Mattie addressed the issue of peace at the beginning of 2001, when he was leading Religious Education classes at his parish, Most Holy Rosary in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The title of the chapter for that day's class: "Jesus Leads Us to His Peace."

Mattie made personal notes in preparation for teaching that class and, his notes read, he wanted his students to know that, "The biggest peace in the world is Heaven. And the biggest teacher of peace in the world, is Jesus."

He noted that, "The best way to peace, is to be a good Christian... To follow Jesus and try to be like Jesus... To love and treat others like we want them to love and treat us."

Mattie was leading up to one of his favorite sacraments, Reconciliation, and that in addition to following Jesus and loving others, the best way to peace is forgiveness. "Forgiveness brings us back to peace."

Reconciliation, Mattie noted, "brings us peace inside, and leads us to Heaven, with Jesus."

Memorial Mass Thank You
Mattie was more than the famous boy in a wheelchair. He was a child with deep love and reverence for the Sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.

Mattie talked with God about his purpose. And Mattie shared God’s messages to the world. But it was Jesus who was his role model. Through the Eucharist we see the gift of Jesus, and through Reconciliation we see peace.

If you missed the Memorial Mass marking the 17th anniversary of Mattie's death, you may view the Mass on YouTube or watch a highlight video of remarks, the Gospel reading and homily.

The Guild thanks St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, pastor and co-celebrant Fr. Mark Knestout and his wonderful staff. We also thank our homilist and co-celebrant Msgr. John Enzler, who baptized Mattie and also gave the homily at Mattie’s funeral.

Mattie reminded us when he was alive and reminds us now to say YES to our Heartsong. God made us, with purpose, as we were meant to be. Mattie also reminds us to not get stuck, to move forthward with hope and faith and love, and to work for "His Peace." #PeaceBeWithYou