He must deny himself and take up his cross...

Standing for truth is the mark of the Christian soldier. Here is another saint who has made a tough decision at great personal cost. In a letter to Notre Dame University's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, declined to accept Notre Dame’s Laetare medal.

The Laetare medal is an annual award, given to an American Catholic layperson "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity." (Wikipedia) Mary Ann Glendon once served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. She was awarded an honorary degree by Notre Dame University in 1996.

So, why did she decline this prestigious award? Perhaps her own words (as published on firstthings.com) best describe her reasoning:

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president [Barack Obama, who is scheduled to give the commencement address] an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.

Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

• “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”

• “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Here is an example of a Christian soldier who understands that her first duty is not to the president, nor is it even to the church. Her first duty is to her Father in heaven, the author and personification of truth. Jesus told us, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) Mary Ann Glendon has denied herself and taken up the cross of truth in the face of a Catholic university that has abandoned the principles of the U.S. bishops of its own parent church.

Listen and learn, Christian soldier.

Standing up for truth...

A great example of a kingdom warrior has appeared in a rather unexpected place. Of course, one of the most effective tactics in warfare is surprise. So, it should come as no surprise that this warrior loaded her slingshot and took a shot at the giant publicly, before millions of people and in a manner so winsome as to strike a powerful blow to the powers of darkness.

I refer, of course, to Carrie Prejean, a top contender for the title of Miss USA. When she was asked by one of the judges about her view of "gay" marriage, Miss Prejean smiled and said that, in her opinion, the traditional concept that marriage is the union of one man and one woman is the correct one. It is widely believed that this answer cost her the crown in this contest.

This young woman of God stood by her faith and her convictions rather than caving to political correctness or, worse, compromising her beliefs for the sake of temporal gain. She knows full well that her true reward will come in the form of the crown she will wear in eternity. Miss Prejean remembers what Jesus told us, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) This is a young woman who has much to teach the rest of us who claim to be Christian soldiers. As Dr. Ray Pritchard wrote on Crosswalk.com:

[B]y keeping her cool under enormous pressure, she gains support from millions of people. And if she had caved and given some mumbo-jumbo answer, she might have won the pageant and would have disappeared from the cultural radar. Better in this case to speak your convictions firmly and politely and leave the results in God’s hands.

She illustrates the need for Christians with tenacious, winsome courage. Tenacious meaning we won’t give up. Courage meaning we speak out when the time comes. Winsome meaning we speak with a smile, not a frown.

When asked about controversial matters, we would all do well to take the “Joe Friday” approach: “Just the facts, Ma’am.” Brief is better. Just say what you believe, don’t make a big deal about it, and don’t try to explain it or nuance it. Short and simple with a smile wins the day.

Many see beauty pageant contestants as starry-eyed, simple-minded, narcissitic air-heads whose most controversial political stance goes something like: "I believe in world peace, feeding the hungry, and non-euthanizing animal shelters." Miss Prejean's boldness in standing for truth, in spite of the cost to her personally, is clear evidence that not all beauty queens are created equal.

Walking in the light...

OK, I know what the armor of God is all about, and I know that the Holy Spirit is there to help me understand Scripture and to guide me and comfort me. So, how do I know whether I am winning or losing against the powers of darkness?

That question can be answered by asking yourself what it looks like when Satan wins. Paul tells us a few things to look out for in Galatians chapter 5, verses 19-21:

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Obviously, if Satan keeps us from inheriting the kingdom of God, He has won. Paul goes on to tell us what victory looks like, and where it comes from:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (vs. 22-26)

The fruit of the Spirit. How do I come by the fruit of the Spirit? John the Beloved Apostle tells us in his first epistle:

If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all^b]"> sin. (v. 6, 7)

And in his Gospel he tells us:

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)

What does it to mean to "walk in the light" and "to love darkness?" Perhaps, it is easier to deal with the latter phrase first. When people do evil things, they like to do them where no-one can see; in some obscure location, or in a dark alley; in secret, as it were. What are commonly known as "confidence games," or "cons" for short, involve telling half truths and outright lies in order to get the "mark" to provide money for a venture which the "con man" represents as an opportunity for profit. Only, he doesn't give the "mark" all of the information; he obscures the details (one of which is that the only profit will be for the con man). The Spanish word for "dark" is "oscuro," which comes from the same root as the English word "obscure." So "to love darkness" means to be secretive, less than forthright, dishonest; or quite literally, to do things under cover of darkness, so as not to be found out.

The Apostle Paul talks about having a clear conscience (1 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3). Those who love darkness do not have a clear conscience. They hide their activities and their motives. They are not "walking in the light as He is in the light."

Have you ever noticed that little children are very honest about things? Yes, I know, they can lie through their teeth if they have an ulterior motive, but they can be absolutely guileless at times. Usually those are the times when Mom and Dad wish they had a little more tact and diplomacy! "Mom, are you growing a mustache?" Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) He was telling the disciples that they must be guileless, be dependent on their Father in heaven. That is walking in the light.

Christian soldier, are you walking in the light? Are you being transparent with those around you? (James 5:16) Are you confessing your sins, knowing that God is faithful and just to forgive you your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness? (1 John 1:9) Are you speaking the truth with grace? (Ephesians 4:25, 29) Are you shunning fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather exposing them? (Ephesians 5:11)

Do you have any secrets from your wife (other than the nature of her birthday gift)? Do you have a clear conscience before the customers who patronize your business? Do you have anything you need to share with the college student who just bought your used car? Is there anything that you worry someone will find out about you? (If so, I suggest you go to your pastor and discuss this worry with him.) Remember, Satan is the father of lies and there is no truth in him. (John 8:44) Remember, too, that if he can get you to believe those lies, he wins. And if he can get you to participate in those lies, he has you firmly in his grasp. You are a prisoner of war.

Don't worry, the Commander-in-Chief has ransomed you. Remember, He came to heal the brokenhearted and set the captive free. (Luke 4:18) Walk in the light, as He is in the light, and you will have fellowship and the blood of Jesus will purify you from all sin.