(from "Think Blast" by Randal Niles - vol. 5:31)Marines know their safety depends on the person on their right and the person on their left. They are bonded together in battle. Shouldn't the Church be the same way? Do we believe that our safety or our Christian faith often depends upon the people in the pews on our left and on our right Take the story of Jason Dunham whose parents recently receieved their son's posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest militar award.
Dunham, a Marine Corporal, was leading his squad in Iraq when they were ambushed by insurgents. During the hand-to-hand combat, Dunham leaped to place his helmet over a live grenade. Dunham's bravery saved his friends and cost him his life. Why did he do it? To save the men serving under him. It was true heroic altruism. Would you or I be prepared to show what Jesus called no greater love? Would we lay down our lives for our Christian brothers?
As Christians, do we really understand the proud heritage of our faith; how the martyrs in the first century gave their lives to preserve the Gospel; how Christians through the centuries have championed great causes for the benefit of mankind: the abolition of slavery, the development of hospitals and universities, care for the poor, the protection of human life? We all remember Mother Teresa, of course, and some of the great missionaries, but how about the saints of bygone years? How about the Christians in the Roman Empire who gave their lives to tend the sick during the great plagues when pagan doctors fled?
As Christians, do we really understand the proud heritage of our faith; how the martyrs in the first century gave their lives to preserve the Gospel; how Christians through the centuries have championed great causes for the benefit of mankind: the abolition of slavery, the development of hospitals and universities, care for the poor, the protection of human life? We all remember Mother Teresa, of course, and some of the great missionaries, but how about the saints of bygone years? How about the Christians in the Roman Empire who gave their lives to tend the sick during the great plagues when pagan doctors fled?
The story of human history is a great cosmic battle between good and evil, and greater struggle than any war in human history. We're engaged in it, and we're on God's side. What if we Christians ahad the same sense of loyaltym, commitment, and responsibility for our heritage as Marines?
