God's Call to Sentinels
God calls to all, even to sentinels of the state. Some might say God’s call especially goes out to state sentinels, that is law enforcement at all levels, defenders of the nation in the armed forces, and all those acting on government authority. These souls have been called to exercise right authority in society and thus they must execute the duties of their office righteously. They must be fair and just. There must be equal application of the law. To unevenly apply the law is no justice but injustice. If left unchecked it festers and becomes the application of raw power. Malevolent force helps to establish and maintain tyrannical rule. The protectors transform into the persecutors. Once looked upon as trusted guardians of society and right order, the sentinels become morally malleable minions of state aggression.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called an official of the state into his band of brothers, His Apostles. Matthew the tax collector reminds us that the Lord calls all into His one fold (Jn 10:16). The Lord even calls those who may have persecuted their brethren at one point in time. Repentance, mercy, and forgiveness are for all not just select souls. Matthew’s call reflects how it is never too late to turn back from complicity with evil. Indeed, the banality of evil often makes slipping into sinful conduct easy and comfortable. Just go along to get along, don’t rock the boat, don’t make any waves. Indeed, “If the Enemy finds in someone a relaxed conscience, he studies to make it even more so. Because this soul is not afraid of venial sin, he familiarizes it, little by little, with mortal sin. And day by day he weakens the horror of such sin in the eyes of that soul” (Saint Ignatius of Loyola). Saint Matthew did not allow attachment to mammon and job security dissuade him from following the Lord of Lords and King of Kings when he was called into the fold for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Those of us living now do well to abandon attachment to false comfort. We should be unwilling to compromise integrity for so-called safe jobs. We must live wholeheartedly for the Kingdom of God. Do not surrender your integrity or your soul for a mere paycheck. Do nothing for filthy lucre’s sake (1 Sm 8:3). If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts (Ps 94:8). Do all things for the greater glory of God. Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam. Save souls today, your own first then others.
Verses for the Day -
Matthew 1:20-21 (DRA) But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call His name JESUS. For He shall save His people from their sins.
References
Biblegateway.com
Byron, Dan. “There Shall be one Fold and one Shepherd.” January 30, 2018. Catholicstand.com
*** https://ko-fi.com/praywithmarcus *** (Buy me a coffee!)
Thigpen, Paul. “Manual for Spiritual Warfare.” (Charlotte: TAN Books). 2014.
Image
Pixabay.com – Saint Matthew Evangelist Sculpture – dimitrisvetsikas1969