The movie “American
Sniper” is the story of Chris Kyle, a Navy Seal and the most lethal sniper in
US history.
Early in the
film, Chris Kyle’s Dad tells him – there are three types of people in the world:
-
Evil
wolves that threaten the sheep.
-
The
sheep who are good people, but they can be harmed because they don’t understand
about the existence of evil.
-
The
sheepdogs that protect the sheep.
Chris Kyle understood
himself to be a sheepdog. He knows that evil is for real. He is out to protect
the sheep and his fellow soldiers.
Sheepdogs
are not the only ones protecting the sheep! There are also shepherds! Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for the
sheep as well. He also understands that evil is real! He wages a different kind
of battle against evil – a spiritual battle – which is even more important!
Man with
unclean spirit enters the synagogue: unclean spirit: something out of place in the
spiritual sense, not in order, something opposed to the holy. Demon.
Cries
out “What have you to do with us?” Plural is frightening. Trinity = unity Evil = disunity.
Jesus says “Quiet!
Come out of the man!”
What are we
to think of this in our modern world of medicine and psychology?
Can’t this
be explained just as a healing of an illness? Clearly many times yes, but not always.
I have done
enough spiritual counseling to see the effects of evil in people’s lives. The presence of evil is real and can
sometimes overtake people.
Pope Francis
speaks about the evil one quite often. He says there is no shadow of a doubt –
a battle exists in which the eternal salvation of us all is at stake! Look around – just read the paper!
Pope has
some challenges for us:
1) “Salus Animarum Suprema Lex” What can
be more important than eternal life or the loss of it? Get serious about the
salvation of souls!
2) King Philip sent a note to John about
his brother, Richard the Lionheart: “Look to yourself. The devil is loose!” Pope challenges us to fight against complacency:
watch ourselves and guard our hearts. Protect the presence of the Holy Spirit
within us. Make a Daily examination of conscience.
3) Fight against worldliness – living the
way of the world. Live the way God truly wants us to!
4) Fight against hate – hated comes from
the devil. Never hate but serve others. Pray and live in joy.
Jesus, the
Good Shepherd has entered into the struggle against evil. Never forget this, in the words of Pope
Francis: “God is stronger! God is
stronger!”
There are
many debates about the movie – American Sniper.
I don’t ever
remember a movie ending in dead silence. Not a word was spoken in the theatre.
I,
personally, found it helpful to experience war through the life of a soldier.
I, who have
not served, will never fully understand, but we have been reminded of the huge
sacrifices made by our military, and the effect their service has had on their
families. When they come home, they need
to be properly cared for. That includes veterans of Vietnam and Korea, who may
never talk about it. There has to be
more than “Thank you for your service.”
Our nation
must not let them down.
