WASHINGTON,
D.C.—His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D.,
Archbishop for the Military Services, has issued a pastoral letter on
the Year of Faith,declared by Pope Benedict XVI from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013.
Here follows the text of the letter:
Introduction
Pursuing
peace is a vital role that those pledged to service support through
their daily commitment to a rigorous discipline. It is an elusive gift
sought with eager longing. All people of good will seek peace, pray for
peace, and hope for peace in the midst of challenging and undesirable
situations. You, the men and women of our military, have been intimately
engaged in moving toward such peace with over a decade of
deployments. You and your families know better than most that the
effects of war have taken their toll. Over time, through the experiences
of being deployed and supporting those who have deployed, the desire
for personal peace travels the long journey through physical,
psychological, and spiritual healing. As faithful Catholics we know that
the source of all healing and peace is found in the person of Jesus
Christ. Our ongoing conversion, an ever-deepening relationship with the
Lord, also demands a daily commitment to a discipline of prayer that is
profoundly rooted in humility.
Through
prayer in Christ we come to know the Father’s will for our life. We
better understand the trappings of power along with the things or
choices that hold us back from being our true selves. We can, through
prayer, come to realize that our will is not necessarily the will of the
Creator. Faith-filled lives rooted in the Eucharist and daily prayer
help us to discern more closely how we are being called each day to the
mission as a disciple of Jesus Christ. With Blessed Ildefonso Schuster,
“we consider prayer as the beginning of our future state of
blessedness.” This year the Catholic Church offers each of us an
opportunity to focus on the mission that matters most – living out our
call as baptized Catholics by knowing and loving the faith, which
empowers us to serve those in need and leads to life without end.
The Year of Faith
During
the Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013) the Holy
Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has encouraged all Catholics to rediscover
the faith:
Reflection
on the faith will have to be intensified, so as to help all believers
in Christ to acquire a more conscious and vigorous adherence to the
Gospel, especially at a time of profound change such as humanity is
currently experiencing.(BENEDICT XVI, Porta Fidei, n. 8.)
Throughout
this year of reflection there are also special anniversaries in the
life of the Church to recall. First of all, this year marks the fiftieth
anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (11 October
1962) that Blessed Pope John XXIII called. The Holy Father wanted “to
transmit doctrine, pure and whole, without attenuations or
misrepresentations,” in such a way that “this sure and immutable
teaching, which must be respected faithfully, is elaborated and
presented in a way which corresponds to the needs of our time.” (JOHN
XXIII, Address of the solemn opening of the Ecumenical Vatican Council
II, 11 October 1962.) Secondly, the faithful recall the twentieth
anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, given to the Church by Blessed Pope John Paul II (11 October 1992). TheCatechism,
a fruit of the Second Vatican Council, includes “the new and the old
(cfr. Mt 13:52), because the faith is always the same yet the source of
ever new light.” (JOHN PAUL II, Apostolic Constitution, Fidei depositum, 11 October 1992, n. 2.)
To
all of you whose pastoral care is assured by the Archdiocese for the
Military Services, USA I issue a warm word of encouragement to study
these documents. Each, in a particular way, recognizes the primary call
to discipleship lived in the world today. Each also recognizes the
unique vocation of service in the military as agents of security and
freedom on behalf of the people of our nation in the pursuit of
peace. For those of you who now experience the ministry of this
archdiocese in Veterans’ Administration Medical Centers, your pursuit of
peace is through healing or acceptance, as well as your contribution to
the communities in which you live. In this way, each of us commits
valuable time to that which is most important and that which has the
power to transform all of our interactions – a personal encounter with
Jesus Christ.
As
a 12 year old I visited Europe for the first time with my family. I was
assured that I would not be able to appreciate the vastness of the
Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, because the elaborate red damask draped
seats were not taken down between the sessions of the Council. The tiers
of seats made an impression. In a few years I would begin to read the
documents that were debated in those glamorous bleachers. They may have
disguised the vastness of the basilica, but they demonstrated a
community of faith at work. Our life is not always ideal.
Yet
the less than desirable situations of conflict that you endure have not
dampened your ongoing commitment to defend the nation in its noble
cause. This cause may at times make you feel lonely and
misunderstood. Often a certain experience of being set apart occurs upon
returning home only to find people who do not fully comprehend, or even
bother to contemplate, the sacrifices that you and your family members
have endured. In those unsettling experiences you must rely on the
relationships of the community of faith found in the Catholic Church. In
those occasions of loneliness or feelings of abandonment you are never
really all alone.
As
your Shepherd, I want to encourage you in your vocation, help you to
see how the Church values your service, and challenge you to deepen your
relationship and devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Your
unique circumstances do not dispense you from profiting from the Year of
Faith. Every day men and women of the armed forces, along with U.S.
government employees serving outside of the borders of the United
States, are dedicated to pursuing peace around the world. Veterans are a
constant reminder of the price paid for that pursuit. In this
non-territorial archdiocese over which the sun never sets, prayers are
being offered at every moment of the day. We gather together in prayer
and through the celebration of the Eucharist in a way that we never can
physically gather. In these profound moments of prayer we recognize that
we are together in Christ Jesus, and we celebrate His powerful
presence. It is from this unique vantage point that the Church
encourages each one of us in our service.
Vatican II
We
remember that in two specific places the documents of the Second
Vatican Council recognize the importance of the pastoral needs of those
who serve in the military. The first is found in the Pastoral
Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes. Part
II of this constitution focuses on “Some Problems of Special Urgency”
of which the council fathers desired to consider “in the light of the
gospel and of human experience.” (CONC. ECUM. VAT. II, Dogmatic
Constitution, Gaudium Et Spes, n. 46.) These included marriage
and the family; human culture; life in its economic; social, and
political dimensions; the bonds between the family of nations; and
peace.
In
the Chapter titled, “The Fostering of Peace and the Promotion of a
Community of Nations,” a great deal of energy is expended to explain the
nature of peace, the avoidance of war, the just defense of people, the
arms race, the need for international organizations, and cooperation as
contrasted to the horror and perversity of war including scientific
weapons that can create massive and indiscriminate destruction. In
recognition of the proper role of the military Gaudium et Spesnotes,
“As long as they (military personnel) fulfill this role properly, they
are making a genuine contribution to the establishment of peace.” (CONC.ECUM. VAT. II, Dogmatic Constitution, Gaudium Et Spes, n. 80.)
Your
presence and your efforts in the military are contributing toward the
desire of peace. Your deep respect for the dignity of the human person
means that you endeavor to save rather than to take lives. Often, the
daily task lists, meetings, reports, and trainings can be wearisome. The
repetition can cause one to forget that each of these tasks in pursuit
of the mission of peace is both important and valued.
The
second notation concerning the armed forces is found in the Decree on
the Bishops’ Pastoral Office in the Church, Chapter three, Section
three. Here it is written that, “Because of the special conditions of
the way of life of military personnel, their spiritual care requires
extraordinary consideration.” (CONC. ECUM. VAT. II, Decree, Bishops’
Pastoral Office in the Church, Christus Dominus n. 43.) In this decree
the uniqueness of military service is recognized from the previous
experience of Military Ordinaries (bishops tasked with the pastoral care
of those in the military). As such, the desire to establish a military
vicariate in every nation was expressed. The need for dioceses to send a
sufficient number of priests qualified to serve this serious work was
also clearly articulated. Finally, the need to promote the spiritual
welfare of those serving in the military was included.
Spirituali Militum Curae
This
particular emphasis on the pastoral and spiritual needs of those in the
military mobilized the Church to consider more appropriate ways in
which to meet those needs. Therefore, Blessed John Paul II promulgated
the Apostolic Constitution Spirituali Militum Curaein
1986. This document, also a fruit of Vatican II, notes, “the Church has
always desired to provide with praiseworthy concern, and in a manner
suited to the various needs, for the spiritual care of military people.”
(JOHN PAUL II, Spirituali Militum Curae, 21 April 1986,
introduction.)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church articulates
the teaching of the Church especially in her desire to avoid war and
specifically the intentional destruction of human life. All citizens and
all governments are obliged to avoid war. (CCC 2308.)The Catechism further states,
Those
who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants
of the security and freedom of nations. If they carry out their duty
honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and
the maintenance of peace. (CCC 2310.)
Those
who serve the common good are necessarily rooted in Christ Jesus. For
this reason I want to draw your attention to the way that you respond to
the gift of peace.
Lord I Am Not Worthy – A Reflection for Soldiers
At
every celebration of the Eucharist there is an opportunity to identify
with a soldier who comes before the Lord asking for help. In the new
translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal, the words
we pray have changed. In particular, the words we pray prior to
receiving Holy Communion can provide a beautiful theological reflection
that puts our true mission into focus. After the Lamb of God, the priest
elevates the consecrated host. Recognizing the presence of Christ the
priest says:
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
Together the priest and people say,
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
(Roman Missal, Third Edition for use in the United States of America, The Communion Rite,
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, 2011, p. 669.)
This
beautiful prayer comes from the Sacred Scriptures. It is found in the
Gospel of Matthew. (Mt 8:5-11.) In this pericope we find that as Jesus
enters Capernaum a centurion approaches Him. A centurion is a soldier
who commands 100 troops. Like a good commanding officer he is concerned
with the welfare of all of his soldiers. In this particular instance, a
subordinate (a servant or one he commands) is paralyzed and suffering
dreadfully.
With
great humility and recognizing the power of the Lord, the centurion
seeks Jesus and tells Him that his servant is suffering. Jesus says, “I
will come and cure him.” Immediately, though the centurion utters the
words we are now familiar with prior to receiving communion:
Lord,
I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and
my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with
soldiers subject to me. And I say to one ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to
another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he
does it. (Mt 8:8-9.)
When Jesus hears this He is amazed and says out loud to those following Him,
Amen,
I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to
you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Mt
8:5-11.)
As
the centurion seeks the healing of his servant, it could actually be
his son that he is speaking of since the Greek word “pais” could either
mean “servant” or “boy.” When Jesus says He will come and heal his
servant the centurion shows not only politeness, but also recognition of
the law with a profound sense of humility. The centurion states that he
commands others, but he realizes and articulates that Jesus has more
authority and has greater command than he as a soldier will ever
have. The centurion recognizes himself as a servant leader who is
subject to the authority of Almighty God.
The
centurion also realizes that Jewish law would discourage Jesus from
entering his house since he is a Gentile. Jews at the time observing the
law knew that such an act would ritually defile them. In order to
prevent that the soldier humbly provides Jesus with a “way out” by
saying “only say the word and my servant will be healed.” This
humbleness amazes Jesus who recognizes the centurion not as a great
commander but as a man of great faith. In the Gospel of Matthew much of
the text is written to a community that shows a lack of faith. Examples
of faithful citizens were needed in order that others might grow in
faith.
Remember
the centurion is speaking in the presence of others. He is a known
figure. He is not afraid to make manifest his faith and is not worried
about his position. His clear, public statement of personal belief
attracted the attention of the Lord Jesus, but also of those around
him. His soldiers must have marveled and wondered, “Who is this in whom
my commanding officer has so much confidence?”
Finally,
the centurion believes in and relies on grace in the presence of
Jesus. By admitting that he is not worthy he announces to Jesus and all
around him that what he really wants is what God wants. He recognizes
that, although he does have power and authority it is not the sort that
can direct all things. In other words, through his prayer he has come to
seek God’s will, not his own will. He presents the need and then openly
accepts wherever it is that God leads him.
We
know that the primitive Church was filled with soldier saints, many of
whom were martyred for their fidelity to the faith. Others, as they
marched with the Roman troops, brought the faith to the cities and towns
they visited. They helped advance the “good news” about Jesus Christ
throughout the Roman Empire.
In
today’s military there is a definite need for pleading so that our
souls may be healed. The experiences of war can include encounters of
the loss of life and the challenges of accepting the unknown in an
unsecure setting. As overwhelming as these experiences are God the
Father seeks peace for us too. While those who serve daily defend peace
they may do so humbly by recognizing Jesus and responding to Him in the
same way the centurion did.
Each
celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass provides an opportunity for us
to reflect on that reality prayerfully prior to receiving the real
presence of Jesus Christ in the Body and Blood of Christ, the
Eucharist. This moment of recognition, acceptance, and response provides
an interior thanksgiving that informs our daily lives, the way we
serve, and the way we treat one another. Next time you are at Mass
remember that your vocation in service of our nation is something that
the Church understands. Remember that healing comes to us in the person
of Jesus Christ. Remember also that our lived faith is not just a
personal experience. Just as the centurion risked sharing what he
believed in front of others, so we also must go and do the same.
Indeed
we are charged at the end of every celebration of the Eucharist to go
forth and announce the Gospel we have heard. It is so important to
invite others to experience this healing presence of the Lord and His
word, which saves. Yours may be the only witness that another
experiences! You may be the only “evangelist” (bearer of the Gospel)
that he or she meets!
Through
the celebrations of the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist we begin to
come to terms with the real healing that our souls need. We cannot do
that on our own. In our sinfulness we must cry out to God to plead for
help. We must recognize that we alone cannot solve all the challenges
that affect us. We must rely on the presence of Christ who enters our
very being to help us recognize in ourselves, and in others, God
responding to us. The response to this prayerful relationship helps one
grow as a disciple who understands that his or her main mission in life
is the pursuit of peace while always pointing toward the Heavenly
Banquet.
We
find our inspiration in the example of our Mother, the Most Blessed
Virgin Mary. She teaches us, in the words of St. Luke, to keep all these
things which we have been considering regarding our faith in our hearts
(Lk 2:51b)and
to bear Christ to others. She began immediately after the Annunciation
when she went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. (Cf. Lk 1:39ff.)
Our faith is indeed a great gift, which we must deepen, but also share,
because we know that it brings serenity and joy. The Council teaches us
that Mary was the first Christian, because she bore the Christ in her
womb. We also bear Christ as our identification. His is the Name
impressed on the dog tags of our soul. We bring Him to others in our
faithful witness, our joyful proclamation, our enduring hope, and our
practice of charity.
Conclusion
When Jesus died on the Cross a centurion present said, “Truly, this is the Son of God.” (Mk 15:39b.) Throughout
this Year of Faith the faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military
Services, USA are called to know their faith more deeply through the
study of Catholicism. All are called to pray fervently and be open to
making their prayer lives a daily priority. Each one of us is called to
serve one another thereby helping Christ to be made known in the world.
Each of us is charged to echo the profession of faith of the centurion
in everything we say or do. These soul-healing actions bring about the
peace of the Kingdom of Heaven.
You
might make as one goal this year the memorization of the Nicene Creed,
which we recite together at every Sunday Mass. Would it not also be
useful to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church or Youcat? This
will be a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of
particular reflections and rediscovery of the faith. (Cf.Porta Fidei, n. 4.)
Be
assured of my daily prayers for you as your Shepherd especially during
this wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Year of Faith and make our
way to the fullness of life in the Kingdom of God.
(Most Reverend) Timothy P. Broglio
Archbishop for the Military Services
11 October 2012
Washington, DC
