By Father Garrett Braun
From Fields Afar
Some weeks ago, I saw the subject line “Real World Recall” on an email when I checked my phone in the morning. In particular, the word “Real World” rather than “Exercise” grabbed my attention. The body of the message was directive for all the key players of base leadership to gather for briefing that same morning — something of immediate importance. I knew in time I would find out what exactly was going on, and it didn’t take long — the next few weeks were a flurry of activity for folks across the base — stressful days at work and perhaps more stressful days for families at home. These real-world movements were hush-hush for a time before exploding onto the world stage earlier at the end of last month.
It is important to remember that behind politics, military strategies and news storylines of every drama and flavor are also real-world service members who have sworn to support and defend the Constitution and to follow the lawful orders of those appointed over them. The result of what they are asked to do has real-world implications — real risks, fears and stressors that ripple out into their families and the surrounding community. There are now absences in the pews on Sunday; real-world families praying extra hard for their loved ones to come home; and everyday kids who have been through this before. Let us call to mind the need to pray for all our service members and their families, and even all of the real-world folks on the other side of this conflict.
In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul tells us, “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). This verse is helpful not only to remember who the real enemy is, but also that we are on the front lines of our real-world battle, day in and day out.
Our spiritual battle is less kinetic, but the results are much longer lasting. We are called to especially take up our faith as an exercise of spiritual warfare during this season of Lent. Every year, I am struck by the Collect prayer on Ash Wednesday, “Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.” This battle requires strength but is only won by surrender to the true victor in Christ Jesus, and he asks us to take up this battle not only for our own sake, but to help bring about the real-world salvation of all those around us.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!