This article is the third in a series called, “The U.S. Military and the Catholic Faith: A Comparison”, which examines the comparisons between the U.S. Army and Catholicism. Throughout my articles, I use the word ‘military’ loosely. I focus on the Army because I am a soldier and grew up through the ranks of the enlisted side. In fact, when I get to Heaven Saint Peter’s going to say, “How’d you earn your living boy?” and I’m going to say… “Army Cadence” and reference Matt 16:19:
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
Training
Training is something that we do in our daily lives to excel. In the military, Basic Training helps you adapt to the military life, how things work and what the standards are. Then, in the Army, you have AIT (Advanced Individual Training) which trains you in MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). Afterwords, there are other leadership training courses which prepare you to be a leader in your profession. The Catholic Church also trains her people with CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults), and the Seminary. At times, priests do further training so that they can specialize in a particular function while continuing their pastoral role.
Training to Serve
When we are committed, we want to train to serve. As Matthew 22:14 states, “For many are called but few are chosen”. You wouldn’t say you were a service member then wear ribbons and uniforms that you never earned or wore, that would be ‘stolen valor’. The same expression can be applied to those of faith. Converts may quickly say they believe in this or that, or even just want to be baptized for the novelty of it, not for the sake of truly serving and believing. Like they say ‘once saved always saved’, but does that mean you can stop going to church, turn away from God or commit all types of sin? Sure, you are still a child of God but you need to reconcile your sins, and then change your behavior by training to serve God if you are committed.
Rules and Exceptions in the Church
As for the Church, there is baptism, an initiation into the life of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM (CCC 1257)
The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
However, even though the Church has rules, she holds to the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law. Like the two thieves on the cross with Jesus, both were sinners. One told Christ to save himself and them while the ‘good thief’ rebuked the other:
And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Lk 23:41-43)
The good thief wasn’t baptized but Jesus gave that one thief an exception. The Church also makes exceptions to the rule with the teaching of ‘baptism by desire’:
Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized (cf. LG 16).(CCC 1281)
Then there is the debate about who is allowed to receive the Eucharist, as some Christian believers feel it should be for everyone. For Catholics it has nothing to do with arrogance, but rather faith. The Eucharist isn’t just a symbol but the ‘real presence of Jesus’. This is not just a personal choice but based on doctrinal truth. So as with joining the military, several people may wish to join but few are chosen as they have to first take the ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Battery), a test. This also is not based on my personal feelings, whether I think an applicant would or would not make a good service member; the basic initial testing dictates whether the applicant will start his processing. Waivers (exception to policies) can be submitted for approval concerning medical, law, and family issues, but a person with a non-passing ASVAB score will not receive approval.
As with certain things in the Church, like the rules about receiving the Eucharist, some think that the ASVAB is outdated. The ASVAB has been part of the initial processing for several years (1976 when it was adopted by all U.S. military). Some will say that the sharing of the bread and wine is only symbolic and that it is irrelevant today. They will continue to say they find Jesus/God in their own way, and that looking at a piece of bread is a form of idolatry. The Eucharist has been around much longer was instituted by Christ Jesus himself:
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
Neither of these rules (ASVAB/Eucharist) disregard people, rather they give people the tools to discover what they truly desire. If everyone was allowed to receive the Eucharist, then it would lose its value and intention. People who want to receive the Eucharist have to study, pray, believe and convert:
To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion. (CCC 1385)
Rules and Guidance
There is a difference between wants and needs. People need guidance to follow. You can choose to freely make your own choices but you must accept consequences which can be good or bad. Imagine this: anyone who’s anyone is joining the military, including criminals of all kinds and dishonest people. Now realistically we know there are some criminals that have a low crime record that get exceptions, or that crime still occurs in the military from those who never had a prior record. The pre-qualification tries to help render this from happening, but things still happen. The same with the Church: though it leads us by example to believe in the word of the Lord, some within the Church are not living according to the word of the Lord. Just as Jesus instituted the Eucharist, examples and formalities, he also promised that we all will grow alongside those who do not believe:
“Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matt. 13:30, NRSV).
Do not allow your greed, envy and pride to get in your way by saying that you have to join the military. If it is meant to be it will be, but if you cannot because of disqualification do not be discouraged, as supporting the military is just as important. The military is a must, to help our nation support and defend against foreign and domestic enemies.
Likewise, in support of Christianity and the Catholic faith, the qualification factor is much easier than that of applying for the military. Jesus said, “for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:30, NRSV). How is accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, getting Baptized and loving your neighbor so hard? Plus, with this do you think there are really any initial qualifications? You are the one who has to make the qualification by accepting and desiring to know, love and serve God. Though we all have faults, those can be rectified by acknowledging your faults through reconciliation.
There are those in the military who do not show respect towards their leaders, or one another, nor do what they are told, or for a better play on words ‘they sham out on everything’. Then when the time comes for an award they get the lowest one possible and complain because they think they are entitled to it. Compare this to someone who did do his job and acknowledged his leaders respectfully, who then gets a greater reward.
When dealing with God, He sees all things, therefore you are being more or less rated on your performance. This could be compared to what Jesus states in Matthew 7:21-23:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.”
When presenting oneself as a service member, we are ambassadors of the U.S., especially when we are overseas. This is much like Christians are ambassadors of Christ. By holding yourself to a high standard, you represent your faith, a form of evangelization which is comparable to an Army Recruiter. By looking presentable and acting accordingly, people will want to imitate you. This was expressed in a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi “preach the gospel and if necessary use words.” This is because of the example set that others see, not necessarily by speaking but doing.
16 thoughts on “The Military and the Catholic Faith: Training”
I love this point: “Neither of these rules (ASVAB/Eucharist) disregard people, rather they give people the tools to discover what they truly desire. If everyone was allowed to receive the Eucharist, then it would lose its value and intention. People who want to receive the Eucharist have to study, pray, believe and convert”
It’s like the idea of giving a trophy just for showing up and having a kid never find out what he’s really good at, what his true calling is or like telling a child he can be anything – a boy, a girl, both, neither, an animal (Yes, that is happening in our schools now too. They are called, “Furries”). We really do need to hold people to a higher standard and let them know they are created with the power to get there!
Thanks again for the article and your service Brandon.
God Bless…
Thank you for your
comment. I agree with you as well about today’s schooling teaching what you
what to be. I think people took that statement way out of context from the
initial intent. I know when I was growing up people told me I could be what I
wanted to be, meaning they knew I like to draw so be an artist or a policeman.
If you put your mind to it I think you could be what you want to be, but with
that we can’t play God and also there is a since of reality that comes into
play. I mean I like baseball but I am not good enough to play for MLB or even
go to the Olympics I know this. I think many people get their calling confused
with a hobby. Like you stated for those getting a trophy just for showing up, doesn’t
show them their true potential. Of course we all should be treated equal, in which
sometimes I think people forget but that doesn’t mean we all should get a
trophy. I think the modern world is going too far into a relativistic society. People
are scarred to tell someone ‘no’ and I think it isn’t because they don’t want
to but that they (the average person) are afraid of the repercussions. Like I
heard a minister who declined to wed a gay marriage and was taking to court and
sued but overtime it was overturned, after he spend a lot of money in his case.
Thank you again for your
comment.
Your comments are spot on and what a great point about telling people they can be anything they want to be. I hadn’t made the connection about how warped that idea has become! It’s amazing how twisted things that sound good can really be. I know it’s a little different, but it’s gotten to the point that anytime I hear of a government program that sounds amazing (NY’s Safe Act, DASA, etc) I’m suspicious. Like the minister, we can win some but at huge costs that are more than just financial and even that is in question in most instances.
I’ll be writing an article about this for CS toward the end of the summer. Would you mind if I used the point of being anything you want to be? I don’t want to steal your ideas if you plan on doing something, but it’s a great point! If you’ve got any other insight you’d want to share, you’re welcome to email me too.
Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Thank you again! Feel free to use the comment and whatever
you need. You are the one that provided the initial point. Thank you for the
opportunity to share insights with you, I am not sure what to provide but if
something comes up I can send it your way.
Thanks so much Brandon!
At no point here does Brandon address Christ’s admonition, to “..turn the other cheek, “ when struck. I interpret that as, “Never retaliate.” How do others make of it? I’m very fortunate, in that I’m 75, and have never been been forced to wear a foolish uniform, and march in step, waving a flag, toting a gun and shouting “Yeee Harr!” on command.
As Einstein pointed out, .“..you don’t need a brain to do that – only a spinal column.” But I’ve missed the other parts of Brandon’s article, which might explain such things more clearly.
You would have made a good money changer in the temple when Jesus used a whip to make a point.
Well, thank you, James. You might have to use a whip on me, to get whatever point you are making. Because, right now I don’t.
” I’m 75, and have never been been forced to wear a foolish uniform,”
Those uniforms saved your Limey butt so you could denigrate their descendants
who are proud to continue the tradition.
I’m not denigrating anybody, James. Uniforms didn’t save my butt, or anybody else’s. The people who wore them did. What “tradition,” is being continued, anyway?” Invading Iraq for the oil?
Thank you for your comments, though, as you
did state, you didn’t read my other supportive articles which may help you
understand or ponder my position. My articles are based on a
comparison between the U.S. Military and the Catholic faith.
I am a confirmed Catholic and enjoy receiving
every sacrament that I can. The Catholic Church does teach certain doctrines
that others may not agree with, but just because you don’t agree with certain
doctrines doesn’t mean they are not valid- for example, Hell, Marian
doctrines and the sacrament of Reconciliation.
The same can be said about the American
government and some of its policies; I don’t have to like them all but
still I am a proud American. Likewise, I am a proud soldier, though there are
commands I didn’t like. For me, I guess, no-one would like me because I am a
soldier in the Army, a Recruiter for the Army and a Military Policeman. Well, I
guess that would make me a bad person since I’m serving my country as a liar to
get people who volunteer to serve their country and as an MP to assist, protect
and defend my fellow soldiers on post for those who break the law.
With that, even though it may not take a
brain, you do have to pass examinations to become a soldier and a lot of people
fail. The Army being an all-volunteer force with exceptions when there has been
conscription/draft.
Dealing with Einstein, did you know he
initially didn’t want to entertain the idea of the big bang theory, which was
coined by a Catholic Priest Fr. Georges Lemaitre?
My main audience is geared towards those who
served and are Catholic and to help soldiers see the comparison between the
two. I have had several priest who liked the complete essay I wrote and was
amazed at the similarities between the army and the Church. There were
Christians who were martyred in the past and even today, just like there
are service men and women who die for freedom, believing in their
country. The first 32 popes were martyred.
I will not disagree with you point that
Jesus told us to turn the other cheek. I will, however, ask you,
would you do something to protect a family member if they are in real danger or
turn the other cheek? Would you at least call the police? It is easy to say
what we could do until that moment happens.
I am not sure if you are aware since
you never wore a “foolish uniform” but enemy prisoners of war (EPW’s) the ones
America captures are treating humanely. They are our enemies and get feed,
clothes, housed and even respected for their religious beliefs. Now do
Americans get treated with the same as POW’s? There were several Catholic
Priests were POW’s that died like Fr. Emil Kapaun (Army Chaplin) and St.
Maximillian Kolbe. And, by the way. I have never said “Yee Harr”,
sounds like something from that old T.V. show Hee Haw or a pirate I’m not sure which, just not a sound of service member.
Thanks for the very comprehensive reply, Brandon. I appreciate it. I’ve pondered this topic over years, and never, until now, been able to discuss it with someone like yourself.
You say:
“I will not disagree with you point that Jesus told us to turn the other cheek. I will, however, ask you, would you do something to protect a family member if they are in real danger or turn the other cheek?”
Yes, and if necessary I would kill (or try to, but as I’ve never fired a gun, I’d probably fail) someone in order to protect myself or my family. This is because I think Christ was totally unworldly about this.
But then His kingdom is not of this world, is it? Yours and mine is.
My point is, that for a Christian, surely that admonition is simply not negotiable? To kill a fellow human, under any circumstances is unchristian and sinful, as I understand it. Quakers think so. Certainly it breaks a commandment. Better let them kill you and go to Heaven.
However, I am sceptical about many other aspects of religions as well as that.
I’m also beginning to slightly regret using the word “foolish” in front of “uniforms.” On reflection, I’ve seen several Air Hostesses – whose uniforms I thought were very sensible indeed.
Einstein changed his mind over The Big Bang, did he? How odd. So did I. Is that remarkable in some way?
I was looking keenly forward to chatting with Brandon on this absorbing topic, but he seems to have gone AWOL from “Stand.”.
Off on a Special Mission, killing a foreign enemy for Christ, maybe?
Hello there I do apologize, I wasn’t sure if you wanted to
continue the conversation, maybe I misinterpreted your closing. Nope, I am not
AWOL, yet anyway, just kidding. But with the special mission (not killing) I
have been busy with Church projects we are working on here also with family,
college and work. So I do stay a little busy.
In you closing question “Is that remarkable in some way?”
Well I think so, I think God uses all of us for a certain purpose. Now of
course with that we have a special gift “free will” in which certain people what
they desire over what we think that God desires for us. For instance, I usually
talk with the Mormon and Jehovah Witness door to door evangelist. Not to
covert, but to thank them for sharing their testimony to others that God exist,
especially to those that don’t believe. I on the other hand do take what they
share with my and in turns makes me a better Catholic, well I believe because I
share with them our faith and hope to convert them down the road.
I would like to reply a little on your previous comment on
when you state that you would kill or better yet protect and defend your
family. This reminds me of what Jesus said to his Apostles in John 15:13 when
He said “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his
friends.” I believe that every parent/guardian sticks to this for their
children and spouses. I also think that good friends would do this too for each
other, but more especially when it comes to a band of brothers/sisters military
and in Christ. I would also like to link this to what St Paul stated to the Corinthians
(1 Cor. 10-13) “ but when the complete comes,
the partial will come to an end. When
I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a
child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we
will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as
I have been fully known. And
now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
From this we know that love is
the greatest, I understand that we shall love our enemy, and it becomes a
battle within (ourselves) to choose, who do we love more? Of course God, we don’t
what to disobey Gods commandments but when it boils down to it are we going to
allow the bad guys take over or are we going to defend our family by lying down
our life? Jesus tells us to go and Love as I have loved you (John 13:34). By
serving each other and picking up our crosses daily I will admit it is a
struggle.
I know I am not perfect and that I am a sinful man, though
it doesn’t matter what type of sin, sin is still sin (mortal or venial). But I
do try to get in God’s graces since the Bible tells us that “we all have sinned
and fell short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
About a year ago I was taking a leadership class in the Army
and there was another soldier who used to be a Marine as my classmate. He was
one of the those gung ho people, anyway, he was a Christian. One day we were
discussing about religion and he started going off on the Catholic Church. I
tried to explain to him, but of course he wanted to be ignorant, no problem. He
then brought up the death penalty. So he brought up a news article about some
killer, and said he deserves the death penalty and what are my thoughts. I didn’t
have any, I really don’t believe in it I said, but I am not 100 percent against
it either. He couldn’t understand way, but then I said if you are a such a good
Christian why take a life of another who’s possibly judgement is already being
served. This is why we have a judicial system, though it doesn’t seem fair. That
feeling of retaliation should only come from those who are truly effected, like
the lost one’s family members. Even St John Paul II for gave the person who
tried to kill him. I know things like this can be emotional and the media is
great at affecting the public, but we need to learn to control it or certain
things can happen.
Sorry for such a long response I just wanted to reply to you
and then I couldn’t stop typing. Thanks for your time and I hope address some
of what you were asking, I sometimes get long winded even in writing.
No, I must thank you, Brandon. It’s my duty to apologise. My barbed comment about your supposed lethal activities was in very poor taste. And it was truly Christian of you not to seem to get too upset about it.
“(Christ) said “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.””
I’ve sometimes thought it would require even more love to lay down your life for your enemies. Because we are commanded (or so I’m told) to love each other, even if the other is a “bad guy.” Although, as Thomas Merton once said that he was quite prepared to love other people – as long as he was not expected to like them, as well.
But then you say:
“He couldn’t understand why, but then I said if you are a such a good Christian why take a life of another who’s possibly judgement is already being served.”
I agree with your answer 100%, but, in view of it, I can’t then understand how a military life, which necessarily involves the killing of others, can ever be justified by believing Christians. But maybe I’m wrong. And maybe you can put me right.
First, thank you for your reply. I will say I don’t have a
have a supportive justification. All I can say that I know that police,
military, medical personnel, religious leaders are held to an oath. In which
for me it is to defend the constitution of the U.S. and to obey the regulations
by the officers appointed over me. Now of course ethical decisions will come
into play, certain things like rules of engagement are put into place and then
you may have a dumb soldier who violates it and makes everyone look bad, just
as one bad priest who doesn’t something bad, which leaves a sore eye one the
church. People begin to become too judgmental on certain actions but forget
what the over purpose is. Like a police department, military and the medical
field. We need them to help support Americas freedom and way of life. Now like
you stated in a previous comment about invading for oil, please note, this is a
congress execution. Service members just follow orders whether we like it or
not. I also agree as many others do to, we don’t what to do certain things but
we are held to a standard and orders to follow. I love my country and I really
love my faith and by proving so I am proud to serve, though there are many
things I don’t like but I still do what I have to.
I know based off of assumptions of taking another’s life is
a bad thing, ask anyone who has done it police or military, it isn’t a warm
funny feeling. People do regret it and many whether or not take another
person’s life or witness it in person have a hard time and usually get
diagnosed with PTSD. This is something I have learned and appreciated. Many
people tell me that wouldn’t wish this feeling on anyone, though they may be judgmental
or angry, but I respect them and appreciate them because of what they gone
through, regardless by choice or not. Like I state earlier, in most case’s the
military will have certain rules of engagements to follow, if it is broken (ie.
Soldier kills unarmed civilian without a cause, they are prosecuted) of course
if the enemy is attacking we do and will have the right to defend are parameters.
The government is a business (good business or bad business)
it makes calls for the economy. We sometimes have to try to see how the economy
as a whole is doing from macro to micro-economics. What is best for the people
to make justification, though I am not in support of certain decisions but on
the level of understanding on what could be called ‘the greater good’ of
something. My father always told me play the percentages, and maybe is what the
government is doing with the military instead of drilling in our own back yard.
You gave a good quote from Thomas Merton, which made me
think of Mother Teresa. She went through trials of being ridiculed and threated
in India. That takes courage, which is also very humanitarian as well. She
should a good example of loving those who persecute you. I think though we do
need various types of people, when need those humanitarians and we need those
who will protect us when trouble rises. This is want makes our country great,
though we may have some black eyes on certain areas, who is usually the first
to be called to help for a disaster (America, the world police) though I think
it is highly over used and over rated but just shows how much people depend on
us as I know we depend on each other as well.
I am not sure if I answered your question clearly, but thank
you again for your response and God bless you.