Christ, The Risen Soldier
Archbishop Francis Spellman’s classic The Risen Soldier was published in 1944. This little book was a poignant tribute to the men and women serving their country in wartime. It was adamant in its denunciation of war but profuse in its praise for those bearing the burden of it. Throughout the book he drew parallels between these soldiers and a greater Soldier, the greatest sacrificial figure of all time: Jesus Christ.
Yes, it was another Soldier, One Who had vision and a mission beyond the grave, a Soldier Who died for something good to save His fellow men…
He is a warrior “Heaven-flung and heart fleshed.” He too is wearing a helmet, “the helmet of salvation.” He is armed with “the sword of the spirit against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places.” He too is a Pilot to all who go down to the sea in ships, to all who take wings and fly through the air, to all who walk human pathways.
This Soldier said: “He that shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.”… All men were His brothers and to them He gave a new commandment, that they love one another. He was a Captain who bivouacked with his men, sharing privations and hardships.
The other Soldier returns to tell me that Love never sacrifices in vain. He bids me look with shining eyes towards the day when men, “shall turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into sickles.”483
The greatest Soldier has also been called the Prince of Peace. His message of love and forgiveness opened the sure path to God and ultimate peace for every human being. We may not see peace on Earth until the end days, but on the personal level, it is available in our lives every day. Our Lord and Savior waits for our response.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
—Ephesians 2:17–18