Suffer all, even death?

Each American solider says this when enlisted:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Each confirmand in the LCMS answers the following question, “I do by the grace of God.”:

Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather that fall away from it?

I find it interesting that in the military oath, the possibility of death is not mentioned at all, and yet the threat for those enlisting is very real.

I also find it interesting that in the confirmation right, the possibility of death is very explicit while the threat for those saying it in America is very minimal.

When one joins the military, the threat of death does not need to stated because it is on everyone’s mind.  When one confirms their membership in the Holy Church, it is stated explicitly perhaps because very few young people even consider that possibility on their confirmation day.

We all know deep down that one only willingly dies for things they consider of ultimate importance.  And perhaps that is why so many seem to have more affection for country than Church in America.  We actually see flag draped coffins come home.  We have a day each year to call attention to their ultimate sacrifice.  Most actually know someone who died in a war defending country.

But what about people dying for their faith?  Know anyone who knows anyone personally who died for their faith?  I don’t.  But what I do know is that more people die for their faith in the world that every before.  It happens all the time.  But we in America do not see it and often do not even pause to consider it.

After celebrating memorial day yesterday, it made me wonder if we should not as a church should not be more intentional about placing the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ before our member’s eyes and hearts.  Maybe we should make the martyrs much more of an emphasis of All Saints Day.  For while true faith is only worked through the Spirit, knowing that people we are family with are truly suffering all, even death, is a powerful reminder that our faith is THE thing of ultimate importance, dwarfing even love of country.  As Tertullian is known for saying, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.

Take some time today to ponder those who have given all in the name of Lord.  Read about martyrs of old in a book like Foxes Book of Martyrs.  Or visit a site like Voice of the Martyrs on the internet which catalogues persecution in the modern Church.  Remember those who have died.