Our Veterans

11 Nov

O Lord, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.  (Ps 139:1-3)

Today is the feast of St. Martin of Tours.  One of the legends of his life tells us that, on a bitterly cold day, Martin met a poor man, almost naked, trembling in the cold and begging from passersby at the city gate.  No one was helping the beggar.

Martin did not have much himself, just weapons — he was a soldier — and the clothes on his back.

He drew his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces, and gave one of the pieces to the beggar.  Those around him laughed at his apearance while others were ashamed at not having helped the beggar.

That night, in a dream, Martin saw Christ dressed in the half of the garment he had given away.

The Lord, indeed, knows us.  He knows when we sit and when we stand.  He knows when we help others.  Because, after all, when we help others, we help Him.

Today is also Veteran’s Day.  Our veterans have helped us all by giving of their time as well as their blood, sweat, and tears in service of our country.  They have done their best to keep us safe and free.  Like Martin, they realized that they were called to do something for others and they did it without hesitation.

Like Martin and all soldiers throughout the ages, our veterans have paid the price for their service.  Some have returned from service injured in mind, body, or spirit.  And if you would ask them, the vast majority would say that they would do it again in a heartbeat because they felt they were answering to a higher cause.

FAITH ACTION:  Pray for all veterans today, especially those who have been injured in service.