Posted on 06/30/2011 4:49:27 PM PDT by stfassisi
True Soldiers in the Church Militant
 King St. Louis IX of France led the seventh and eighth crusades. He enforced strict military regulations against killing noncombatants and prisoners, holding the conversion and baptism of infidels among the highest of priorities. As a child, his mother would often say to him: "I love you my dear son, as much as a mother can love her child; but I would rather see you dead at my feet than that you should commit a mortal sin." |
Spiritual warfare in modern times
The body of faithful which comprises the Catholic Church is divided into three parts: the Church Triumphant (souls in heaven), the Church Suffering (souls in purgatory) and the Church Militant (faithful on earth).1 The Church Militant has been defined as:
It is useful to consider the military metaphors contained in such a definition. As Catholics, our lives should not be seen as "business as usual" but warfare — "constant warfare". We are not regular citizens or noncombatants, but soldiers in the war against Satan; a war which has both spiritual and physical dimensions.
All soldiers are called to a particular cause, traditionally the glory of a king, emperor or state. As Catholics soldiers, we are called to fight for the glory of Christ the King and the triumph of His will. We must follow His commandments, receive His sacraments and carry out His directive to convert all nations. While a worldly soldier is concerned with physical warfare, a Christian soldier is involved in a struggle infinitely more important — the spiritual battle for the salvation of souls.
Enemies of a Christian soldier
Just as "soldier" and "warfare" take on different meanings in the context of the Church Militant, so does the term "enemy". The only enemy of Christians is and has always been Satan, but because of his powers, he must be fought both internally and externally (or spiritually and naturally). He is our spiritual enemy when we tempts each of us internally and our natural enemy when he works through other men to subvert the will of God. Since, he is capable of deceiving and tempting every person on earth, he can make accomplices or slaves of men without their explicit knowledge. Such men can be referred to as our "human enemies".
This is an important distinction to make because if Satan rather than an individual human is the true enemy, how we face battle and evaluate victory are very different. Unlike worldly soldiers, we are commanded by our Lord to love our enemies.
 St. Michael the Archangel has been battling Satan since the Fall of the Angels. |
Therefore, we must always seek that which is best for our human enemies — not their worldly comforts or success, but their eternal salvation. This is not to say the only end to our efforts is conversion since a "victory" occurs every time the desires of Satan is thwarted. And since his desires are always opposed to God's will, a victory is also each instance in which His divine will is done. Both Christ and His Mother have repeatedly told their children that all sins (even by non-Catholics) offend their respective Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. Christ's soldiers must fight to prevent any and every such offense, even if the offenders are not converted. Conversion however remains the surest and most effective way to ensure such offensives will not be committed again.
The human enemies of the Church can usually be divided into two groups — public and private enemies. Public enemies openly declare war on and attempt to carry out the destruction of the Faith or the faithful. Historically, such human enemies have included Jews, Muslims, Protestants, Freemasons and Communists.
Private enemies are those who either do not admit to (secret enemies) or do not realize (deluded enemies) their destructive intentions. These are the most difficult enemies to recognize, let alone fight. They are usually outwardly benign or "well-intentioned" people and are comprised mostly of schismatics, heretics, liberals, modernists and humanists. Their ranks include men and women, young and old, clergy and laity who cloak themselves in acts of human charity and prideful piety which only serve to confuse and seduce others. They are enemies of the Church because they spread defiance of God's laws and undermine his Church through heresy, disobedience or indifference.
They are the atheists who consider Christ to be no more than an example of tolerance, cooperation and kindness.
They are the humanists who see no need for "religion" unless it can be useful in preventing poverty and war.
They are the naturalists who perform the corporal works of mercy while rejecting the spiritual and see no use for monastic life unless it accomplishes some humanitarian goal.
They are the heretics who claim to follow God's commandments but reject the revealed Truth entrusted to His Church.
They are the modernists who seek to "evolve" or "renew" the beliefs and practices of the Church in order to "better accommodate" the changing times.
They are the abortionists who lovingly care for newborn infants days after they would have them brutally murdered.
They are the schismatics who claim for themselves apostolic succession but openly defy the successor of the Prince of the Apostles.
They are the pagans that sleep and work, laugh and cry, live and die according to the dictates of their conscience which is constantly adjusted by their environment.
These are the human enemies Satan puts in our path and how we choose to respond to them is what defines the true soldiers in the Church Militant.
The Church Militant and the modern world
 Joseph M. Scheidler is National Director of the Pro-Life Action League and one of the few modern martyrs in North America. His organization has faced lawsuits from the National Organization for Women (NOW) under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act — legislation designed to combat organized crime. |
Needless to say, today's Church Militant is plagued with indifference. Too many soldiers of Christ would rather not fight their enemies because the immediate costs in comfort and human respect are too high. When they witness God being insulted through blasphemy, heresy or denial of His law, they are content to remain silent, denying their love for Him. When questioned directly, they may defend God but only in an equivocal way, depending on how much the opinion of the interrogator means to them.
This is not a "constant warfare", it is a surrender! Soldiers don't sit hiding in the bushes, waiting for someone to accidentally discover them before coming out to fight. They know exactly where the battlefield is and go in earnest to join the war effort. Everyone they make contact with knows not only that they are soldiers but that for which they fight.
Since the beginning of time, Satan has successfully used human respect and pride to tempt the faithful into silence and defiance. How many marriages have been destroyed, profanities been committed, children been aborted, blasphemies been encouraged and souls been eternally lost to Satan because people who knew right from wrong kept silent, putting too much value in human respect? They are more worried about being seen as different or "intolerant" or childish in the eyes of sinners than virtuous in the eyes of God. However subtle this brand of "persecution" may be, the struggle between God's will and man's has always existed. It is why Christ told us in the Sermon on the Mount:
And repeated by St. John Vianney:
Catholic soldiers cannot remain silent in the face of evil and they cannot run from it in hope for better days. We must fight for the Faith at all times, especially when we are facing persecution. Our human enemies need to know that we hold and defend the Truth, even if they hate us for it. The history of Christendom is filled with saints and martyrs who chose torture and death rather than denying Christ or His Church. They could have saved their lives by going along with the popular errors of the day — be it paganism, Freemasonry, Communism or Islam, but they refused and were eternally rewarded. As beautifully expressed in the words of Blessed Sister Marie-Anne Vaillot, a martyr of the French Revolution who refused to take a masonic oath:
 St. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans was an inspirational soldier during the Hundred Years War. She was guided by angels and saints from heaven but was burned at the stake after a mock trial. Among her "crimes" was a refusal to adequately submit to the "Church Militant", a phrase with which she was unfamiliar. |
These days, in most Western countries such courage and dedication is almost non-existent, even though the consequences are much less severe. Many Catholics will deny Christ rather than risk feeling "awkward" or "uncomfortable" in the presence of pagans. They care more about what the faithless think of them than what God does. How many Catholics today would be willingly burned at the stake rather than deny their Faith? What's the use of forcing a denial that is gladly and repeatedly welcomed almost every day?
The dangers of supernatural warfare
Getting caught up in battles against heretics and abortionists, it's easy and dangerous to lose sight of the supernatural aspect of the conflict. Satan and the powers of darkness are fighting to ruin every mortal soul, especially those devoted to Christ. This battle isn't just between the Catholics and non-Catholics, but between good and evil, Christ and Satan.
As such, the ways we can fall are varied. Not only can we be defeated through our own tendencies toward doubt or indifference, but also by giving into the zeal of the battle. Too often, humble soldiers fighting for the will of God give way to the vices of pride and anger. We must not lose sight of the true enemy (Satan) and the true goal (the triumph of God's will). In fighting one error, we must not fall victim to another.
Since this is a supernatural battle, we must use the supernatural weapons heaven has given to us. The Mother of God has given us the Most Holy Rosary and the Brown Scapular to assist in our mission. We also have the teaching of the Church Fathers and Catechism of Trent which prepare us to recognize error when it is encountered. We have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which is hated by Satan above all, so much so that modern times have seen it subjected to his destructive power. We have been given the other sacraments which give us access to the most precious gift of grace, especially the sacrament of Penance.
Above all else, those fighting for the Christ's Church must never neglect regular prayer and sacrifice. To do so is to fall in to the very errors of the naturalists against which we fight. We cannot inadvertently become allies in the propagation of supernatural indifference. For it is only through the mercy of God and in a State of Grace that we will prevail.
Ancient advice for modern times
 St. Martin de Tours, a Roman soldier born of pagan parents would go on to become a monk, a bishop and the Patron Saint of France. |
For a reminder on how Catholics are called to live their lives and relate to the world, we will always be able to turn to the timeless words of St. Justin Martyr:
They live in the flesh but not according to the flesh. They dwell on earth but regard heaven as their city. They follow established law but in their way of life, go beyond what the law requires. They love all and everybody persecutes them. No one knows them, while all condemn them; they are put to death and still are very much alive.
To put it all briefly: What the soul is to the body, Christians are to the world. The soul is present in all the body's members; so are Christians in the world's cities. The soul dwells in the body but does not originate from it; Christians live in the world but do not have their origin there. The invisible soul abides in the visible body; Christians are seen as living in the world, but their piety is invisible. On the other hand, the body, though it suffers nothing from the soul, hates it and makes war upon it because it cannot enjoy its pleasures in peace; the world suffers nothing from Christians but hates them because they reject its pleasures.
The soul loves the flesh and members which hate it; so do Christians love those who hate them. The soul is enclosed in the body but it contains the body; Christians must remain in the world as in a prison, but they contain the world. The immortal soul dwells in a mortal home; Christians are pilgrims in a corruptible world while they look forward to heavenly immortality. God has set them in the world as His sentinels and they may not leave their posts." 5
If you had said "Catholics hate Protestants" that would not be "making it personal" because it refers to a group, not a particular Freeper, personally.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Also, when you speak of another Freeper, ping him.
Understood.
Absolutely correct. I was informed of my lapse by another poster and pinged Isool to the response. I apologize to all for this.
I still say your knowledge of the "Reformers" and their motives is extremely lopsided. Seeing as how men like Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic monk, it seems quite unlikely to me that his intent was to "control his piece of the pie". Had Rome admitted their errors and resolved to restore the church back to the original Biblical standards, the reformers would have continued in their professions. Luther continued to hold onto many Roman Catholic traditions even when he was forced out and persecuted. The problem with Rome was due to the sin of pride and a total unwillingness to relinquish temporal power and wealth. Naturally, those in power would not give up their comfortable and regal palaces and there is little change in that resolve even to this day.
When I said, "This is why God continues to save people and is still glorified apart from the Roman Catholic Church. He will never allow men to stop his will.", I did NOT say, nor even imply, that any man can thwart God so that he must go to a Plan B. My point - which I thought was clear enough - is that God proves every day and in every heart that comes to him in faith that he does not NEED a "Church", nor any organization on earth, to open the eyes and ears of those who seek his truth. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church goes so far as to say that no one CAN be saved outside of her. What I asserted is that God doesn't need anyone or anything to reveal the Gospel to one who seeks to know it. God, however, has given his children the responsibility to preach the Gospel and to join in fellowship to learn together, pray together, worship together and grow in the faith. But God is never hindered, nor can he be hindered, from reaching those earnestly searching for him.
One last thing, my "Calvinist friends" can read for themselves what I post and I can pretty much guarantee that none will stop being my "friends" based on this dialog. They already know I am not Calvinist in my theology, though I think much of what Calvin taught was Biblically correct. We DO agree on the main issue which is salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone.
I hope you and your family had a happy Fourth.
By 'lopsided', you actually mean 'accurate'.
Seeing as how men like Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic monk, it seems quite unlikely to me that his intent was to "control his piece of the pie".
The proof, as they say, is actually in the pudding. Taste it and see. Look at his life and the estate that he owned after his vows of poverty were violated.
Luther continued to hold onto many Roman Catholic traditions even when he was forced out and persecuted. The problem with Rome was due to the sin of pride and a total unwillingness to relinquish temporal power and wealth. Naturally, those in power would not give up their comfortable and regal palaces and there is little change in that resolve even to this day.
You mean like this guy?
When I said, "This is why God continues to save people and is still glorified apart from the Roman Catholic Church. He will never allow men to stop his will.", I did NOT say, nor even imply, that any man can thwart God so that he must go to a Plan B.
The Reformation was a man made Plan B.
One last thing, my "Calvinist friends" can read for themselves what I post and I can pretty much guarantee that none will stop being my "friends" based on this dialog. They already know I am not Calvinist in my theology, though I think much of what Calvin taught was Biblically correct.
The thing is that it is not about individual men, but about God.
We DO agree on the main issue which is salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone.
I'm rather unimpressed by the dialogue of your Calvinist friends and remain unconvinced that they believe in the sovereignty of Christ. I think that they believe in the sovereignty of the image in the mirror, and their posts shine out as a beacon to attesting that.
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