This column originally ran in 2022.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. For some, Memorial Day means the beginning of summer. For others, it is a day off to go shopping.
The purpose of Memorial Day, however, is to honor military personnel who died while serving our country, particularly those who died in battle or from wounds received in battle.
Jesus came to bring peace. In Matthew 26:50-52 when the soldiers came to seize Jesus, it says that one of those who followed Jesus drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus said to him, “Put back your sword in its place. For all who take the sword shall perish by the sword!”
Because they followed Christ, the Prince of Peace, early Christians did not bear arms.
When Christ did not come in His glory during their lifetime, some Christians concluded that sometimes it was necessary to fight to keep evil people from forcing their will on weak, innocent people.
As a result, St. Augustine formulated the Just War Theory which reluctantly permits war when certain conditions are met.
War must be the last resort after all other means have been ineffective, be waged for a just cause by legitimate authority, have reasonable hope of success, and intend to achieve peace.
Faith and war
A soldier who was a Japanese POW for three years and survived the Bataan Death March explained, “War is always horrible, even when you’re on the side of good and battling evil. Killing another human or holding a fallen comrade is never easy.” Some say that war never decides who is right, but only who is left.
In 1953, Fr. Emil Kapaun, an army chaplain, died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. St. John Paul II honored him with the title “Servant of God,” the first step towards sainthood.
On April 11, 2013, President Barack Obama presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor “for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.” He is the ninth military chaplain to receive this honor.
President Obama described him as a soldier who didn’t bear arms, but who wielded the mightiest weapon of all — a love for his brothers so pure that he was willing to die so that they might live!
Throughout the winter as prisoners froze to death, Father Kapaun offered them his clothes, sneaked out to bring them grain, and cleaned prisoners’ wounds.
Guards tortured him, but on Easter, they looked on as he offered Mass. Sgt. Herbert Miller, whose life he heroically saved, attended Father Kapaun’s Medal of Honor ceremony!
In no. 168 of the encyclical Pacem in Terris, St. John XXIII wrote, “So magnificent is this aim (for peace) that human resources alone, even though inspired by the most praiseworthy good will, cannot hope to achieve it. God himself must come to man’s aid with his heavenly assistance.” And God will if we ask.
In No. 79 of the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World, it says, “Those who devote themselves to the military service of their country should regard themselves as agents of security and freedom of peoples. As long as they fulfill this role properly, they are making a genuine contribution to the establishment of peace.”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Though force can protect us in emergencies, only justice, fairness, consideration, and cooperation can finally lead humanity to the dawn of eternal peace.”
Isaiah 2:4 expresses God’s plan of peace, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
War should motivate us to work for peace and for ordering society according to God’s plan, not man’s plan.
Showing appreciation
On Memorial Day, to show and deepen our appreciation of those who served our country, we can:
- Attend services and memorials to honor those who died in military service. Visit the graves of fallen soldiers and adorn them with flowers.
- Attend a parade or fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until 12 noon local time.
- Buy a Buddy Poppy. Our donation assists in maintaining state and national rehabilitation and service programs for veterans.
- Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance which asks that at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day that all Americans voluntarily observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect or listen to “Taps”.
Before we receive Communion, we say the words that came from the faith of the centurion-soldier whose servant Christ cured, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
May we honor and pray for all military men and women who serve and have served our country, including military chaplains. May our worthy reception of the Eucharist strengthen us to bring peace to our home, neighborhood, or wherever we are!
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.