PAROQUIA – Nssa. Sra. Do Rosário
Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima 11 March, 2020 L:1
Trav. Carlos Portes, 171
Cx. P. 101
62.900-000 Russas, Ceará e-mail: b[email protected]
BRAZIL http://www.egfbenya.com
Dear Friends, Colleagues, Collaborators Family and Benefactors:
Their presence was ubiquitous and in most cases seen as a threat to the Christians and other believers of that time. Yet the military, especially the soldier holds a unique and many times a venerated place in Christendom.
The distinction between military, constabulary and investigative was virtually non-existent in ancient times. The military was the noted presence. It was essential for an empire to exist and to function, especially the Roman Empire. Soldiers underwent more of a type of training rather than formation. Discipline was harsh. Salaries were low. Hours of service were long and food was probably poor and minimal. Self-discipline was a key point for any ethical conduct and such conduct many times was lacking. The profession was rife for degeneration, abuse and brutalization. These could be exercised with little or no constraint.
Yet it was the military and those serving in it whose presence strongly defined Pre-Christian times, those of the Redeemer and the New Testament epoch. Soldiers touched by the Call of God through the preaching of John the Baptist were told NOT to abandon their service, but to be honest, just and to be satisfied with their salaries; quite literally “to sanctify their service”. That was quite a challenge. With precious few rules to govern their proclivities, soldiers were open to abuse; receiving and dispensing it. Compassion and mercy were in short supply.
Soldiers were the ones who Pontius Pilot entrusted with the pre-crucifixion brutalization of Jesus Christ. Tortures of insult, scourging, crowning with thorns and personal injury could not degrade Christ in His nobility, but they did brutalize, both Him and the torturers.
At execution, soldiers discharged the specifics of the passage to Calvary, the crucifixion and verification of death. At the Resurrection it was soldiers; tired, half-asleep, perhaps sound asleep who were among the first to perceive that something extraordinary had happened. Later, these were bribed in an attempt to try to deny and hide the Resurrection. However, it was a centurion (an officer in the Roman Army) who declared:
“…that man we crucified, WAS the Son of God!”
This depth and breadth of reaction within that military is astounding.
Both in ancient and in modern times, the military hold an essential place in the Judeo-Christian Epoch. The temptation to judgment can be strong, but the Call to Virtue must dominate. I pray that The Savior’s Call dominate your lives, ministries and vocations as I wish all of you a:
“A Happy and Holy Lenten, Pascal-Easter Season!”
as I remain
Most gratefully in Jesus Christ
Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.