Lead the Way

                                                                

                                                                      

I have always been amazed of the veterans who have served our country. I read American history with great respect, from the minutemen soldiers at Concord, Massachusetts, to the fighting 69^th Irish regiment, who fought at the battle of Gettysburg. We can never forget the soldiers, who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France to free a continent during World War II. 

One landing point in the D-Day invasion that captures my heart, were the men who climbed the cliffs of Pointe de Huc.  The cliffs of Pointe De Huc are 100 feet high, overlooking the English Channel on the coast of Normandy, France. It was a vital strategic land mass that was heavily fortified by the Nazis.  So the Army sent Special Force soldiers known as Army Rangers. The Army Rangers motto is: Rangers Lead the Way. The Rangers would climb the cliffs for Love of God and Country.

The Gospel of Luke (10:1-12) presents Jesus sending out 72 disciples to the villages he is about to visit in order to lead the way. This was not an easy assignment to go out and proclaim the gospel. Indeed, Christ said: “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. There is work for all in God’s field.”

I can only imagine what the 72 disciples felt when they were called to “Lead the Way.” A calling to evangelize to the four corners of the earth.  Martyrdom was only a village away. They were willing to lay down their lives for our Lord, Jesus Christ.  “I am sending you like the lambs among the wolves.” The dangers that would await the disciples were no different than the men who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France.  They knew their mission was dangerous, but peace would come at a great sacrifice.

We are called to proclaim the gospel in our work place, our family, and in our hearts. This can come at a great price. People will mock you all because of me. It’s not politically correct to bring our faith to the work place. Dare we utter the name of Jesus without offending anyone?  Are we willing to Lead the Way with our example and use words when necessary?

It is my prayer, that we never forget the men who would sacrifice their lives, so that peace can come to the world.  Let’s not forget the 72 men who were called by Christ to be messengers of peace on behalf of the King of Peace. Peace comes from God and it is a gift of God that passes all generations.

St. Joan, pray for us! St. Paul, pray for us! Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Bernard of Clairvaux