More Than a Field Hospital

The spiritual battle in our time is fiercer. It comes from all sides and inside. There are things happening which one would think only bad people do. Yet, at this time, we see good people whom we admire and respect at the other side of the fence. I have always believed that the biggest losers in the spiritual battle are the ones who do not even know they are in a battlefield.

It would be so wrong to think the Catholic Church is only a field hospital. In a battle, there will be those in the FRONTLINE prepared, armed, and must have full support in their morale and armaments. These are the great defenders of Truth defending the non-negotiables of Benedict XVI- life, marriage, family. Marching, writing, teaching, and speaking out. The CDF (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) and those who fight heresy would likewise be in the frontline category. Someone had to be in the frontline or souls will be lost.

Our Mother Mary is in the frontline of the battlefield.

Then, we have the FIELD HOSPITAL attending to the wounds of the spiritual battle. Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity, Aid to the Church in Need and the like who are reaching out, caring and loving the victims of our unjust world. Wounded and often without help and hope. It doesn't matter what they believe in. Part of the field hospital, too, are the father confessors ready to welcome prodigal children and bathing the soul of those who are healthy. The field hospital is not about cuddling the Enemy who do not even recognize its own woundedness. It is not a diplomat who tries to make compromises with the devil.

Aid to the Church in Need in Syria

The majority would be the TRAINORS and FORMATORS starting with the family, parish church, school, cathechists, and the like. Not everyone would be in the same level of spiritual maturity. It is here where we learn to live with each other, helping and guiding each other. For in each heart is a spiritual battle.

Then, there is also the police or WATCHDOGS of the Church. Making sure there is fraternal correction within the Church. Checking also those who claim to be in the Church. They complement the frontliner and serve also to safeguard them by alerting them to the workings of the Enemy.

The HEART and ARMORY of the Church would be the cloistered nuns, monks, and prayer warriors. They are the secret weapons that give strength and light to those in battle. They provide the armor for everyone in the Church. If there is lacking in armory, the battle becomes fierce and difficult.

There are no prisoners of war in God's camp, only freely can they choose.

There would be many more in the comprehensive scheme. One thing is for sure, this pilgrim world is a battlefield for souls.