By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well, we’re through mid-May, and we’re seeing all the end-of-school events coming to pass. V.E. Day—victory in Europe in World War II, was just passed on May 8, too, but with surprisingly little fanfare considering this year marks the 80th anniversary of the surrender. Coincidentally, our Memorial Day—the day primarily for mourning and honoring our military who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives—has been celebrated since just after the Civil War, first known as “Decoration Day” because the graves were decorated with flowers. Per va.gov: “It was not until after World War I … that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress … It was then also placed on the last Monday in May …” There are a number of videos on YouTube which memorialize the day and the sacrifice of so many in our nation’s history.
Yet even now there are those of fortitude and self-sacrifice who step forward to take their posts for our nation’s defense. So, it was inspiring to attend yesterday the commissioning of Army new lieutenants as they graduate from college—a moment of profound transformation where young men and women pledge to lead with courage, honor, and selflessness. As they don those gold bars and take the oath, they mark a culmination of rigorous training and the beginning of their journey as leaders, embracing a vocation of service. The oath they take binds them to a life of duty, where the success of mission and the welfare of their soldiers take precedence over themselves. They are called to embody the military’s ideals of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
The readings of this Sunday’s Mass (May 18) offer rather a spiritual lens through which to view such an event. These speak of perseverance in mission, hope for renewal, and love as the foundation of community—principles that align with the challenges and aspirations of these new lieutenants, Catholic or not.
In Acts 14, for example, Paul and Barnabas strengthen early Christian communities, encouraging them to persevere despite hardships. They appoint leaders, entrust them with responsibility, and celebrate God’s work through their efforts. This underscores the importance of resilience, leadership, and accountability in building a faithful community.
For new officers, this reflects their role as stewards of their units. Like Paul and Barnabas, they are tasked with fostering resilience among their soldiers, often in high-stress environments, inspiring confidence and fostering morale. How like the ardent disciples they must be just as the Christian seeks to inspire resilience in those who believe, and curiosity, longing and courage in those who have yet to come to believe. Officer commissioning is akin to the appointment of elders in Acts of the Apostles, entrusting them with the care of others—treating others as they themselves would want to be treated—not only with kindness, but challenging them to reach ever greater heights.
Our second Mass reading from Revelation 21 presents a vision of a new heaven and new earth, where God dwells among humanity, wiping away tears and making all things new. The passage offers hope and a promise of transformation, reminding believers that their struggles are part of a larger divine plan.
For new officers, this vision of renewal mirrors the transformative impact they are called to have. Their leadership can restore morale in challenging circumstances and inspire soldiers to overcome adversity, just as the apostles urged and inspired new disciples to be strong in the face of challenges to faith. The military’s emphasis on adaptability echoes the Christian call of resilience despite conditions or difficulties.
Finally, our Gospel passage of the weekend from John 13 captures Jesus’ new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This love, demonstrated through Jesus’ sacrifice, becomes a defining characteristic of His disciples …not sentimental emotion but a commitment to act for the good of others, regardless of personal cost.
This speaks directly to the heart of a new lieutenant’s role. Leadership in the military is ideally rooted in selfless service—prioritizing the nation’s as well as soldiers’ needs, from ensuring their safety to advocating for their well-being. The officer’s love is shown in the wide range of sacrifice, from staying late to mentor a struggling soldier to risking personal safety to protect those under their command. Jesus’ admonition, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,” finds a secular parallel in the military’s expectation that officers lead by example, earning respect through integrity and care. And, yes, even by love.
Like the early apostles and disciples, the commissioning of military officers, as well as service of non-coms all the way to buck private, is a call to serve with purpose and love. The officer and the disciple are both summoned to lead through action, persevere through challenges, and build communities marked by trust and renewal. For lieutenants, this might mean guiding a platoon through a difficult mission or circumstances; for Christians, it means living out Christ’s love in daily interactions with all persons.
As these new officers step into their new roles, they embody hope and transformation, eagerness and self-giving. Their commitment to lead with integrity reflects our spiritual call to love as Christ loves. In a world yearning for unity, true leadership—in the military or in the faith—bears the mark of selfless love, resilient mission, and the promise of renewal.
Those new lieutenants walked off that field with shining gold bars anticipating the challenges ahead. The faithful Christian walks off the field of life’s battles not with bars of gold, but rather with shining white garment and palm branches of the life of faith … of victory won.
I ___, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. (The Officer’s Oath)
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.