Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordias Domini)

Kick-Off to Armed Forces Month

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In 1950, President Harry Truman established the first Armed Forces Day on May 20 to recognize the service of those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Throughout the year, there are additional days to remember the veterans of foreign wars and those who gave their lives in the name of peace, such as Memorial Day.

While armed conflict is inherently violent, it is a good reminder that the true goal and reason we have a military is peace.

St. Augustine wrote,
“Peace is not sought in order to provoke war, but war is waged in order to attain peace. Be a peacemaker, then, even by fighting, so that through your victory you might bring those whom you defeat to the advantages of peace. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ says the Lord, ‘for they will be called children of God’ (St. Mt 5:9).”
Letter 189, to Boniface.

Aren’t those great words, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” But unfortunately, movies, television, and video games have often depicted the military member as a masculine Rambo or gladiator. But in reality, they are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.

Reflect on St. Martin of Tours (who Martin Luther was named after). While St. Martin was a Roman Soldier, the story that abides is his gentleness and care for his neighbor as he approached Amien, saw a beggar, and immediately cut off a portion of his cloak to cloth the man. This is still an image of the sacrificial love of a true Soldier.

This Sunday we kick off Armed Forces Month with Rev. Craig Muehler visiting us from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Rev. Muehler leads the office of the Ministry to the Armed Forces, which sends chaplains to serve in the military and he will preach for us and lead Bible Class. Additionally, we will have cards for members to sign and we will then send these cards off to chaplains of the LCMS serving throughout the world. Please join us as we honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who serve our nation in the name of peace.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Rogness