Imagine the 18 year old from Kansas, just celebrated his prom with the girl of his dreams and the 19 year old from Pittsburgh who had dreams of becoming a history teacher, now along with 40 other men they ride within the cavernous belly of a troop transport as it splashes through the waves heading toward a small beach code named Omaha. They can hear explosions over the powerful engine as the thwacking of MG-42 bullets hit the front of their transport. They don’t know what the future holds, but right now, all they can think of is their mom, that lovely blue eyed girl and the fear they will see neither again.
Why did they do it? They knew two things. First, they would stand with their brothers through thick and thin. Second, the fight in which they were engaged was against an evil regime. They were the thin line standing between that evil and the ones they loved.
“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
We stand on the edge of a deep chasm. Before us stands the gates of hell and all its demonic principalities. Behind us are our loved ones and all the innocent souls.
Fight we must. For before us stands an evil army the likes of which no man made army could compare. They are fortified by demon ranks and within their midst walk many a lost soul. Demons desperate to devour all souls and men/women desperate to keep all the treasures for which they sold their souls to claim.
We have some mighty differences over the brave men who charged Normandy’s beaches. We have knowledge in faith that we live for eternity. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”. Matthew 10:28. Our enemies may be able to take all our worldly possessions and loves but they can’t touch our souls. The soul is the possession of God. “Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Philippians 1:20-22
We also have a mighty warrior for our Leader. Jesus Christ is our King, the King of all Kings. He is so mighty He conquered death itself. He destroys the reign of Satan. The generals on D Day were fearful, they didn’t know what they day would bring or how this battle would turnout. General Eisenhower had two speeches ready, one to claim victory, the other to apologize for defeat. Jesus Christ is the victor. There is no doubt of the outcome of this battle.
Like the soldiers at Normandy, through Europe and the Pacific and all through time, we do fight alongside some great men and women. Battle hardened veterans and new fledglings to combat. The saints and Angels in the Church Triumphant fight at our side. They will not relent in the battle. We can claim a great army in the Church Militant as well. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in Christ. With them, I find strength and through them courage to fight.
“I want you to become like a knight experienced in battle, who can give orders to others amid the exploding shells. In the same way, My child, you should know how to master yourself amid the greatest difficulties, and let nothing drive you away from Me, not even your falls.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 1823
Take courage, this battle is already won.
“The world is not as powerful as it seems to be; its strength is strictly limited. Know, My daughter, that if your soul is filled with the fire of My pure love, then all difficulties dissipate like fog before the sun’s rays and dare not touch the soul. All adversaries are afraid to start a quarrel with such a soul, because they sense that it is stronger than the whole world.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 1643
“And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.” St. Catherine of Siena