[I originally wrote this reflection in April 2007 while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. I had ministered to the casualties of another unit earlier in the day.]
9 April 2007
It is times like these that cause me to examine my faithfulness to God’s call. Am I living up to the standard of godliness for the vocation of priestly ministry?
This afternoon, I stood beside the bed of a soldier as he fought for life. The medics and doctors worked their hardest to save him. He, and his buddy who lay on the next bed, were seriously injured in an explosion; their third comrade was killed instantly. The soldier for whom I prayed was breathing laboriously, moaning, and fighting with his hands to stop the pain as the doctors worked to stabilize him. That fight was his last.
For about fifteen minutes, the battle for life and death was fought. In the end, the soldier and his buddy both died.
Later, I went to the morgue to offer a commendatory prayer over the three bodies and to sprinkle them with holy water.
And, now I wait for the transportation that will take their bodies away in a few hours. I will join the fighting brothers from their platoon, the doctors and medics, and other soldiers in paying respect and rendering honors to these brave men. I will offer a prayer, salutes will be rendered, and the remains will be taken away.
A few days from now, their battalion will have a memorial and pay their final respects. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to participate. But I have done my work here today.
Soldiers need love—they need the love of God to be ministered to them in moments of crisis. Not only are there three bodies to respect and commend into the Lord’s hands, there are also a couple of dozen soldiers here right now who need to know God cares about them and sees their grief and the turmoil of their hearts. There are souls who need God’s love ministered to them.
If I ever forget that there are souls that need nurturing, or if I ever fail to nurture those souls, I will have forsaken my vocation.
Rest in God’s hands, H, S, and W.
Lord, strengthen me by thy grace to so minister to thy children that they may turn to thee for safety and surety. Amen.
I’m 15 and I’m very interested in becoming a chaplain. One thing that I did not know is that you actually sit next to the men as they die. I thought I would just be a counselor and preach. I know want to join even more for the men that need ministering in the last hours. I thank you for your message.
God Bless