“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn. 15:13).
When reading this section of John’s Gospel, we might wonder what we would do if called upon to lay down our lives for another. Military chaplains, the focus of the new documentary, Fighting Spirit, have done and continue to do just that.
Chris Pratt, best known for his role as Peter Quill/Starlord in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, takes on a different kind of project as an executive producer of this film honoring those who wear the uniform but don’t carry a weapon.
Produced by Paulist Productions, this new film follows the journey of Justin Roberts, a former military chaplain. Having trouble re-acclimating to civilian life and suffering from PTSD, he hears that the remains of Father Emil Kapaun, a renowned chaplain and POW from the Korean War, have been discovered after 70 years. Moved by the Spirit, Roberts journeys to Kapaun’s funeral in Kansas wondering, “Could I bury my own pain along with him?”
As Roberts journeys along the way, Fighting Spirit tells the stories of other chaplains, male and female, from all faiths who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who continue to serve to this day.
One of the battles continually facing combat chaplains is ministering to those affected by the high rate of suicide among U.S. military personnel.
“Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6: 13-15).
Combat chaplains are non-combatants, so they carry no weapon. One person in the film states, “You have to be fearless to do that.” So, what makes this possible? Faith. Faith and a strong conviction of the calling to help others carry their heavy load.
A group of World War II chaplains, referred to as The Four Chaplains, gave their lives on the transport ship, Dorchester. After being torpedoed, a Catholic priest, two protestant ministers, and a Jewish rabbi, gave their life jackets away and helped numerous soldiers to lifeboats, then went down with the ship.
We might ask ourselves, what makes a person do something like the Four Chaplains did? Where does the drive to offer oneself for others come from? Contemporary culture provides too many examples of selfishness. Some of those examples may even come from us. How can the stories of these chaplains help us find strength to give of ourselves better in everyday life?
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3: 20).
Jeff Struecker served as an U.S. Army major in Somalia in 1993, including the “Battle of Mogadishu,” as it is known. Struecker led a three-vehicle convoy that rescued a stranded and wounded Ranger under heavy fire. Going through such an experience helped Struecker remember this faith. He says, “I remember what my faith really means. I can go home to my family in Georgia, or I can go home to my father in heaven. I have nothing to fear.”
After his service ended, he went to seminary and then returned to the military as a chaplain in Afghanistan and Iraq. He now sees his mission as helping soldiers prepare, not only for battle, but for heaven if that is what lies ahead. “I prepare them to meet eternity.”
In comparison to a soldier on a battlefield, our own difficulties may seem small, but they are difficulties, nonetheless. How do I approach my trials and tribulations? What does my faith really mean in the situations in which I find myself? Can I say, with Stuecker, that I have nothing to fear?
Prayer for Military Chaplains (from the Archdiocese for the Military Services)
Heavenly Father, bless and protect Military Chaplains and fill the with the joy and courage of their vocation as personal ministers of Christ in preaching your word and nourishing us with the Sacraments. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey, comes to theaters on November 8th. For more information and tickets, visit there website here.
