Soldiers for Christ

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day to remember the soldiers who died in combat. They gave their lives for those who they would never know. They went to far off lands to defend freedom and never made it home. We honor them today as Americans and Christians.

IN THOSE DAYS, when the apostles had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks he argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked fellows of the rabble, they gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the people. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them; and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard this. And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Acts 17.1-9

In today’s reading we hear of another sort of soldier. The Apostles were sent by Christ and the Church to far-off lands to preach the Gospel of Christ. Many encountered enemy responses and were killed but never gave up hope for the cause.

Their cause wasn’t political freedom. It was spiritual freedom. Unfortunately, many powerful political elites feared spiritual freedom would bring political consequences. The elites preferred politics over God. Most of the Apostles were ‘killed in action’ just like loyal soldiers.

When towns and villages saw Unites States soldiers’ willingness to die for the freedom of total stranger, it inspired local people to stand up and fight alongside the soldiers. The same thing happened for Christ. Seeing the martyrs’ sacrifice inspired many others to stand up and believe.

While you are enjoying your ‘day off’ today and spending time with your family, I invite you to honor the fallen soldiers of the United States. At the same time, remember the ancient martyrs like Saints Carpos and Alphaeus who the Church honors today.

The Gospel of spiritual freedom from sin and death spread throughout the world because of their sacrifice. They deserve to be honored not just one day each year, but every day. We may not grill at the beach because of the martyrs, but our spiritual freedom is no less honorable.

Thank God for those United States soldiers who died for our freedom, and thank God for the martyrs who died for our spiritual freedom. We honor both today! May their memories be eternal.