Soldiers of Our Country – Soldiers of Christ

“Freeeeeeeedooooooom!” You may recall hearing this emotionally, intense cry at the final scene of the 1995 film, “Braveheart.” Actor, Mel Gibson, plays the role of William Wallace, a Scottish Knight, who is executed for seeking freedom for his home country of Scotland at the end of the 13th century. He gives this famous shout right before being put to death by the English.

This Monday marks Memorial Day, a day each year in which we remember and pray for all of our deceased yet brave military service men and women who have fought for our freedom and heroically sacrificed their lives to the point of death as national martyrs, similar to the martyrs of our faith. Whether it be through the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World Wars I & II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or most recently, the Iraq – Afghanistan war, our soldiers have served our country faithfully, and we are grateful and proud of them. It is through their courageous efforts and especially God’s blessings on America over these past 240 years of our nation’s history that have kept us safe and this country free. In a special way we honor them and their service on Memorial Day.

While few in this country actually serve in our military as compared to the rest of the population, all of us are called to serve in Jesus’ military, because what is at stake is the battle for the salvation of our souls. We are called to serve as Miles Christi (“soldiers of Christ”) not on any particular day, but instead, on a daily basis. What do I mean? Just read what the Holy Spirit inspired St. Paul to write in his letter to the Ephesians. He states:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6: 10-17).

Just as military men and women put on armor to do battle in either defending our country or go on the offensive, we too as soldiers of Christ engage in spiritual warfare and arm ourselves against temptation and against the devil and his demons, what St. Paul calls “principalities and powers.” We are to put on the “breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit,” for example. We also arm ourselves with prayer, the grace of the sacraments, and we put on the mind of Christ by reading his inspiring and holy Word in Sacred Scripture. When we do that in the spiritual life, we not only can defend ourselves, but with God’s grace, we can go on the offensive and defeat our spiritual enemies who desire to do everything in their power to thwart God’s will, steal our gift of salvation, and separate us from the love of Christ. St. Paul responds in another passage through his letter to the Romans, “What will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:31-39). The short answer in one word is “nothing.” Nothing can separate us from God’s love, and nothing can defeat us unless we allow it. May we shore up our spiritual weaknesses and boldly call on the most holy name of Jesus to defeat the enemy and be led on to victory.

Memorial Day is a day of victory in our country for our soldiers living and deceased, not just in war, but because of the love poured out for them and us in Jesus Christ. This love is given to us in a variety of ways, especially through the blessing of freedom. I am reminded again of another inspiring line from “Braveheart.” Gibson shouts, “…They (enemies) may take our lives. But they will never take our freedom!” May we not use our freedom to be enslaved by sin, but instead, use the gift of freedom always for doing good. May we show our appreciation for our military men and women who keep us free first by praying for them but also tell them that we are grateful for their service. May God bless them and keep them safe. May you have a blessed and safe Memorial Day with your family and friends, and may God bless America!

In Gratitude to God and Our Soldiers for The Gift of Freedom,
Fr. Jeff

* Click on the two, short quotes in the text above. You will be taken to www.youtube.com so that you can watch and listen to these classic scenes from “Braveheart.”

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan