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. .
. but the Bible is filled with stories of war. The Israelites defended themselves
with God’s approval.
 es, I agree, that is very true.
And listen to what the great soldier Judas Maccabeus said:
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It is easy for
many to be overcome by a few; in the sight of Heaven there is no difference
between deliverance by many or by few; for victory in war does not depend
upon the size of the army, but on strength that comes from Heaven. |
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—1 Maccabees 3:18-19 |
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Judas, however, fought with a sword because
that was all he had.
But once God gave us His only
Son, we entered a new reality and a new covenant. The old ways of war and killing
and acquisition and defense of territory were overturned. Jesus, according to
His own example, told us to pray for our enemies, not to hate them or fight them.
Moreover, He gave us His Body and Blood as a guarantee
of His eternal love for us.
Therefore, we have something even
better than a sword; we have Christ Himself in the Eucharist, and there is
no more powerful strength from heaven that we can hope for to protect
us.
Self-defense and Personal Sins
Although Christ did not speak about war
between nations, and although arguments have been made for war in self-defence, the
one issue about war that no one today talks about is the issue of personal sins
committed during the course of a war. Even though there can be times when an attack
must be warded off, more often than not the defense is done with hatred, arrogance,
and brutality. These are sins calling out for repentance. In such cases, soldiers
returning from war must repent, confess, and do serious penance
for the sins they committed personally during their duty in war. In fact, the failure
to do penance for war-time sins is one profound reason for the prevalance of
PTSD among combat veterans.
The Real Battle
Ultimately, the real battle is
between Satan and your soul, not between you and other persons. Have no doubts
that Satan will tempt you through others in every way he can, to induce you
to turn against your baptismal promises. And
God will allow him to tempt you, as a way of
strengthening and purifying your
soul.
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Not for vengeance
did the LORD put them in the crucible to try their hearts,
nor has He done so with us. It is by way of admonition that He chastises
those who are close to Him. |
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—Judith 8:27 |
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In so far as you respond to adversity
and persecution with victimization,
hatred, and
revenge, evil has more and more openings in which
to dig its claws; and in so far as you respond
to adversity and persecution with blessings, calmness,
and peace, in total trust in God, you will be
purified.
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But if you are
patient when you suffer for doing what
is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow
in His footsteps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His
mouth.” When He was insulted, He returned no insult; when He suffered,
He did not threaten; instead, He handed Himself over to the One who judges
justly. |
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—1 Peter 2:20b-23 |
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The battle with
evil is clear and present; it is fought not with
weapons of destruction, though, but with love. In
all trials, therefore, pray to Saint Michael
the Archangel to defend you and seek refuge only in the
Body and Blood of Christ.
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