So here we are -- another Friday in Lent.
I'm sure you've heard about the second Ft. Hood shooting and wonder like I do why this kind of thing is happening. Military bases are supposed to be safe for our enlisted men, whether they are staying there on an assignment or preparing to leave for another post.
The latest shooter apparently also suffered from mental problems and was supposed to be getting some help.
I guess my first recommendation for our military is that all soldiers being treated for depression and serious mental issues shouldn't be housed on the base at all. This particular enlisted man did not see action in Iraq; he drove a truck, but we all know that every individual reacts to stressors in a different way. If he was staying somewhere else, where he could get attention and treatment, and group therapy with other men of the same ilk, three people and 14 injured would still be just fine.
Apparently, his facebook page showed some disturbing images from a hard rock band and some puzzling statements. He was obviously very ill. But what kind of help was he getting in this modern, more secular Army?
An article on the Breitbart site from 2013 says that enlisted men who share their faith with others may be subject to a court martial for "proselytizing." This is based on newer rules and regulations that comes from the current administration.
One movie that our family watched every single Easter time is called, "Hill Number One." It is the story of a group of soldiers who are out in the field on Easter and there is a lull in the action. During that time the chaplain arrives to say Mass. One soldier asks about Easter and the priest starts to share the story of Jesus with the soldiers, and then the scene changes to the holy land in the time of Our Lord. The actors read like a who's who -- James Dean, Edward G. Robinson, and many other notables. It is not all that realistic but as a child, it wasn't the production (like a play) that got my undivided attention. It was the words of Jesus.
There wasn't a time that I saw the film that I didn't get tears in my eyes, that I didn't feel so sorry for Jesus and for what he suffered on our behalf. There wasn't a time that I saw the film that my faith didn't grow. There wasn't a time when I didn't feel guilt for having done wrong.
The movie took place in World War II. The men were dealing with the serious issues of life and death, and they were afraid. Who might be next? And so the visit from the Chaplain and the sharing of the story of Jesus with the words that he spoke comforted these men -- gave them the sense that there is something much bigger out there. Not a "higher power." The "highest power."
The issues we are facing in our military echo the issues we face in our society as a whole. To me, it is obvious that more individuals are dealing with mental issues than ever before. And at a younger age too. We need some answers as to why. We need to know how to better help people. And having a faith base is the best possible thing in life, because no matter what circumstance a person might find him or herself, with faith rather than having one foot in the grave, the believer has one foot in heaven.
Our Lenten quote for today is:
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” Blessed Mother Teresa
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