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September 10th, 2025 is a pivotal date which will be remembered throughout history. "Charlie Kirk" is a name which can never be forgotten. For his name, now emblazoned on the hearts of thousands.. even millions, is synonymous now with the noble, even holy, concept of what it means to be truly free.
Civil discourse, which Charlie championed and practiced, was a hallmark of his earnest pursuit of America's vulnerable youth on college campuses. He was in the business of seeking souls so as to tell them the Good News.. to tell them, respectfully, of the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty that could be theirs. He used the gift of freedom this country afforded him to reach out in an extraordinary way to people of all walks of life.
An oft quoted statement he made was about how if people stop discussion, violence happens. It is quite a poignant, and ironic, expression now, with his death at the hands of an assassin. Unfortunately, the assassin used his gift of freedom not to discuss, but to kill.
But as Our Merciful King Jesus proclaimed: "Be not afraid of those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul," ~ Matthew 10:28.
What is truly extraordinary is how Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, used her God-given gift of freedom to offer forgiveness to the shooter. She stated that it was to young men such as "that young man", as Erika described him on stage at her husband's Memorial service, whom Charlie was trying to reach. She said she forgives because it is what Christ wants her to do. She affirmed that it's also what Charlie wants her to do. She bravely announced to the world, "Love your enemies".
Erika Kirk described seeing her husband's wound and her unfathomable grief in that moment. But she also described something surprising. While there, in the hospital room, she noted the slightest smile on Charlie's lips. How could it be?
She attributes his expression to the great Mercy of God. She expressed how at one moment, her dear husband blinked.. he just blinked! And, the next moment, he opened his eyes to see his Savior, Face-to-face.
Charlie and Erika Kirk, as man and wife, were united in life, and even now bridging across Eternity, in their commitment to using their gift of freedom in an authentic way. It is in a way which glorifies God by promoting the Christian ideals of marriage and family life. They knew the joy of it because they lived it.
Our Lord Jesus said, "Then you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free," ~ John 8:32.
Charlie Kirk can be called a martyr for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. He may have been contemplating the Catholic faith, as there are other sources which point to that real possibility.
He was asked in an interview what he wanted to be remembered for. Without missing a beat, he immediately replied, "For my courageous faith".
Well done, sir. You will be remembered for that and much more.
May we imitate him as he initiated Our Lord Jesus in choosing to use his gift of freedom in a way that will spread the message of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty to the ends of the earth, into Eternity.
Amen.
