Soldiers of Christ
“Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2Tim 2:3

In an earlier era, we all learned that at confirmation we became soldiers of Christ. That imagery was cast aside in the 60-70s with the effeminizing, pacifistic contempt for the profession of the soldier. So today our young are being confirmed with admonitions to have no enemies and be nice, inclusive, and non-judgmental. This year of St. Paul is a good time for us to get back to the militant, masculine spirit reflected in Fr. Landry’s meditation on the above quote from 2 Timothy:

“(Paul) encourages Timothy to do his part as a ‘good soldier of Christ Jesus.’
A good soldier is focused, dutiful, disciplined, obedient, courageous, loyal and honorable. He functions as a member of a unit, fighting for something greater than himself. He is accustomed to sacrifice and is willing to give his life for others. Every disciple is called to have all these soldierly traits.
Today some balk at this militant imagery as unworthy of the Gospel. Christ came to bring peace, they say, and to make us peace-makers, which they equate with diplomats. Apparently Pontius Pilate and the Sanhedrin did not get that memo in time.
Christ himself stressed, in fact, that he had come to bring not peace but the sword, to lay down his life to save his sheep. Peace comes not from negotiation with the forces of evil, but through conquering evil with love on the battlefield of life.
The war continues, and Christ is still looking for a few good men.” (P. 338, “Praying with Saint Paul.)