By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Well, ‘tis Memorial Day weekend—a time to remember our honored dead who died in war and other service to our nation and its people … those who offered and gave all that they had to give. And whether one does or does not agree with the public policies that led to them being in harm’s way, it does not diminish the selflessness of these men and women’s service. One need only walk the gardens of stone of any national cemetery, imagining the heart-rending cry of surviving comrades and families whose tears water the grounds in which lay their brothers and sisters in arms and their loved ones. Contemptuous critics may minimize or even ridicule their sacrifice, yet all the while residing in security behind the walls provided by those very same heroes.

While Jack Nicholson’s character in “A Few Good Men” was the perceived criminal villain, some of what he said in the final courtroom scene does ring true: “Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns … We use words like honor, code, loyalty … we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something … [and you rise and sleep] under the blanket of the very freedom [the military] provide[s] … ”

Much as some despise law enforcement … until protection is needed or a crime is committed upon themselves or their loved ones. For those who reject the military, think for a moment what would happen if the country disbanded all its armed forces. Can one be so naïve as to think, awe-stricken by our magnanimous gesture for peace, that all nations would respect our borders and the lives of our citizens, following suit with their own disarming? No; I suspect there would be an immediate rush of foreign forces toward our shores to reap with abandon. If history has shown us anything, it is that Man’s thirst for greater wealth and power is never slaked.

Thus, we honor in highest degree those who serve with conscience, and with the meekness and kindness of true strength. Similarly, we honor honest and sincere politicians who seek only the best for all, forsaking their own interests or even sacrificing of themselves. We could have such a wonderful nation if we would just follow the way of …

… Christ. The “Do unto others and you would have them do unto you” ideal would be the foundation of the greatest organization or country ever. If all followed that ideal, imagine the prosperity and peace that would reign. But, alas, it is naïve to expect it to occur on a large scale… and thus the continued need for our guardians of peace, freedom and security.

And yet … we can still bring such charity and brotherhood to our own families, circles and communities. It will likely not be reciprocated; what we Catholics call “Original Sin”—that stain of the Fall remaining within us—continues to draw humanity toward self-interest, greed, and even hatred.

There is a wonderful excerpt from “A Letter to Diognetus” in the daily readings for Catholic clergy in which the author describes faithful, ardent Christians when faith was new. While imperfect in actual fruition, yet it is an ideal that we modern Christians can strive toward. Reader, please allow me to cite at length:

“Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life.

And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives … They play their full role as citizens … Like others, they marry and have children … They share their meals, but not their wives. They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.

Christians love all men, but all men persecute them … They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory. They are defamed, but vindicated. A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult. For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life. They are attacked … they are persecuted … yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.”

With those early Christians’ longing to foster understanding, charity and peace among all, the author goes on to say — and implicitly urges and encourages– the Christian reader toward greater virtue and selflessness:

“… we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its [illicit] enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven … Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.”

As we remember the sacrifice of those who have died for freedom, perhaps the best way to repay them is to work toward the ideal for which they died—a nation of freedom, brotherhood, mutual respect and kindness. To do unto others as we would have others do unto ourselves. Ever working toward a more perfect nation … a more perfect world.

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Heavenly Father, on this Memorial Day, we pray for those who laid down their lives for our freedom. May their example inspire us to live the selfless love of your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant them eternal rest. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.