Soldiers of Christ

“From the day of a child’s birth he is taught by every circumstance, by every law and rule and right, to protect his own life. He starts with that great instinct, and everything confirms it. And then he is a soldier and he must learn to violate all of this–he must learn coldly to put himself in the way of losing his own life without going mad. And if you can do that–and mind you, come can’t–then you will have the greatest gift of all…

…nearly all men are afraid, and they don’t even know what causes their fear–shadows, perplexities, dangers without names or numbers, fear of a faceless death. But if you can bring yourself to face not shadows but real death, described and recognizable, by bullet or saber, arrow or lance, then you need never be afraid again, at least not in the same way you were before. Then you will be a man set apart from other men, safe where other men cry in terror. This is the great reward.” ~Cyrus Trask, East of Eden

This is not from a great theologian, but a fictional character in one of Steinback’s best. Here he is talking about serving in the military of this world, but I couldn’t help but notice the parallel between the earthly army and the Legion of Christ, His Church, and our duty as soldiers enlisted to Her.