Submariners, St. Joseph, and Lent

Lent is often a struggle for me. Trying to find just the right ways to prepare can sometimes leave me unsettled. What should I give up? How much time should I spend in prayer? How much should I donate? Who should I give it to? What else could I be doing? How do I know if I am doing enough? Such questions can weigh on one after a while and possibly take away from the true meaning of this time. This year, I tried something new.

I was reading an article the other day about the life of a submariner. I have always been intrigued by these individuals, who willingly choose to live below the waves for months at a time, in the service of their country. My grandfather held this noble distinction during WWII, as an Electrician’s Mate aboard the SS Jack, as it patrolled the waters of the South Pacific. Theirs is a unique life, and it offered much for me to meditate on.

Submariners are an elite group of sailors, recognized by their “Dolphins.” They volunteer for this duty, and regardless of rank, happily share the load as one family. They are humble, devoted, and most importantly, they serve us in silence. Humility. Devotion. Silent service. Three qualities that I needed to examine more thoroughly.

Humility

Submariners practice a sense of humility that speaks volumes when it comes to selflessness. When an emergency arises, they disregard rank and status and simply get to work. There is no time to consider who is more important, who should give the orders, or who will get the credit for a job well done. They are all equal and they work together. Furthermore, they act for the greater good of the other, ahead of themselves. As one Commander put it, “…Our lives depend on knowing that we can count on each other to watch our backs, to make sure the safety of the ship is placed well ahead of rank or rate.”

We should try to forget about ourselves, and instead, concentrate on those around us (regardless of “rank”). Be an immediate solution to problems as soon as they arise. Do not wait for someone else to handle it. Many of us have a tendency to ignore doing what we ought if we believe it is beneath us to do so. This does nothing to accomplish our goal as Christians.

Devotion

“We can’t jump on any life boats, abandon the ship or parachute out of a plane to avoid the fire, flooding or catastrophic mechanical failure,” says Chief Electronics Technician, William Murtha. We, too, experience “fires, floods, and catastrophic mechanical failures” in our lives. Devotion is about sticking around and tackling them head on and not looking for a way out. We should take time to reflect on those areas, where we often search for an escape, and instead try to become more diligent at handling them. Each member of the submarine community is part of the “damage control party.”

This combination of confidence and competence, along with speaking out when mistakes are made, is significant. Mistakes are costly, especially those that could have been easily avoided. The same is true with injustice. Speaking out against an injustice is necessary in order to better contribute to a more productive society. This requires knowledge, and it is therefore necessary to be well informed of what is going on around us, so that we can always respond accordingly.

Silent Service

Submariners choose to forgo the usual comforts, while serving in isolation, with no sun and no fresh air. They are not in it for the glory or special recognition. There are in it for each other and they are in it for us. This sense of sacrifice and service has inspired me and has led me to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the job they perform. As I considered the ways such attributes could help me better prepare for Lent, I began to feel more drawn to the life of St. Joseph, and for good reason. He perfected these qualities.

Two Goals of Lent

Of all of the lessons we can take away from life of St. Joseph, none are more significant than his humility, devotion, and silent service. St. Joseph reminds us of two very important goals that come out of living these qualities, and ones we can practice this Lent. One: listening more intently (to where the Lord is guiding) and Two: be willing to fulfill His mission for us.

St. Joseph exercised a deep sense of dedication to the Holy Family, placing their needs above his own. Although Sacred Scripture does not offer nearly as many details into the life of St. Joseph, it does offer us insight into his wisdom. St. Joseph was a man of deep prayer, who was always open to the words our Lord placed on his heart, throughout every aspect of his life. His willingness to respond without hesitation demonstrated his humility, devotion, and service.

Furthermore, St. Joseph’s role in helping to raise the Son of God was monumental (and perhaps a bit intimidating) on the surface. However, his fulfillment to this call was a testimony to his humble obedience.

As we prepare to contemplate the Paschal Mystery of Our Savior, we can reflect on those around us who have planted seeds that have taken root within. These seeds have been further cultivated by the lives of the saints. Throughout Lent we recall the sins of Adam and Eve, which lied in direct contradiction to the Original plans God had in store for us at the onset of His creation. Their deliberate misuse of freewill destroyed the Original State of Holiness and Justice. Nevertheless, we still find hope in humanity when we see examples of selflessness and service that encourage us on our earthly pilgrimage.

As we further embrace these qualities, we grow deeper in our intimacy with Christ, and with His saints. We continue to meditate on the major roles they have played in our faith and we begin to witness God’s plan for fulfillment in our lives.