A Most 'Jovial Warrior'

Andrew Breitbart died at the age of 43 the other day, as many of you are probably aware. He was someone that I looked upon with admiration and for inspiration, but not in a hero-worship sort of way, yet in a way that I hope has been healthy and hopeful in my quest to honor the gifts God has bestowed upon me.

My family and I are currently attempting to embrace a very bold challenge and mission from God, one that is unexpected and unnerving. I would be vain, narcissistic, and rude to think that I have an iota of the courage and tenacity that Andrew Breitbart did. That being said, I hope that I can grow my courage and embrace this path that God has placed before us.

Sadly, and ironically, Breitbart's death has thrust upon the internet an avalanche of tributes and written legacies of his life by those that knew him and admired him. Due to the nature of what I am going through emotionally and spiritually, they hit very close to home. To me, they represent what I hope will be said about me one day, and are inspirational as I embark on the very difficult and bold journey that has been placed before me.

One such written reflection on Breitbart really struck me. Reading it, I couldn't help but hope that one day such words could be written about me. Maybe a few of the "conservatives" could be changed to "Catholic", but regardless this tribute gives me a passion to boldly move forward and to embrace all that I may face. Most strikingly were these lines from Greg Gutfeld:

First, he was a warrior, perhaps the most jovial warrior I've ever seen.
He was the least angry guy I've ever met, and although he embraced the battle for conservative principles, he did it with joy and humor.
Every action, opinion, or motive came from a place of love.
He loved his wonderful family, he loved his friends, he loved his crazy life, and he loved America. 
Everything he did, he did because he thought it was right.
For those who didn't know him - you missed out.
Even those who disliked his ideas, within five minutes of meeting him - loved him.
He was a big kid who treated his opponents like humans - it was never about people, it was about principles. 

Warrior. Jovial. Battle. Joy and Humor. Love. Family, friends, life, America. Right. Love. Human. Principles.

These are words that any man should desire to have said about them in memoriam. These are words that I will strive to live up to as I tackle that which God has entrusted me with. While I will miss Breitbart, and while I look upon him with admiration, I know not to pin my soul to any man - St. Thomas More taught us that.

To me though, we can all learn from Andrew Breitbart. We can learn to live boldly, passionately, and from a place of love. We must embrace our call and we must live it without fear. If we are Catholic, we must trust in God, and be brave. We must fear nothing, and wage battles accordingly. We must fight with joy and humor in our hearts, all the while treating our opponents in this world as what they truly are - HUMAN. For as we know, we wage war not against flesh and blood... but against truly evil forces - powers and principalities. 


I know there is a lot in this post which has been touched on, but danced around, and I will get to that in due time. For now, let us pray for the repose of the soul of Andrew Breitbart, and let us pray that we may be bold and courageous on the paths that we walk, so that one day someone may say about us...

"...Every action, opinion, or motive came from a place of love. He loved his wonderful family, he loved his friends, he loved his crazy life, and he loved [God]. Everything he did, he did because he thought it was right."

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