Eastertide and the Church Militant
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
This paschal greeting is used by Christians around the world and in every language. It is not only a joyful outburst, a confession, a declaration of defiance before Satan and the enemies of the cross, and a praise of our Triune God and His Holy Name, but it is also comfort to other Christians as we wage battle in the fallen world as the Church Militant.
As is the case with many pastors, the Covid pandemic has impeded my ability to visit my most vulnerable parishioners. I had two deaths happen during this unprecedented crisis, two deaths in which I was unable to be at the bedside of my parishioners, to bring them comfort from the Word of God, to bring them the Holy Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, and to comfort their family members in person. And of course, this sickness and the resulting impediments surrounding it are diabolical. For reasons unbeknownst to us, God has permitted Satan to harass us with this thorn in the flesh that feels more like a sword through the heart.
The analogy of the sword is fitting. For we are the Church Militant. We are at war. And in warfare, there are casualties. There are failures. There are strategic blunders. There are bad things that happen even when the best-laid plans succeed, or fail. War is chaotic, painful, and even our victories are a prelude to the next battle.
In the current crisis, family members have been deprived of the usual funeral rites for loved ones, as services and even burials have been placed on hold. Many who are physically weak, infirm, undergoing treatments, or simply aged, are bereft of the blessing of gathering as a church, as the assembly of the saints, to hear the preached Word, and to eat the body and drink the blood of the very Paschal Lamb.
And as in any combat situation, we regroup. We reconnoiter. We concoct new strategies. We adapt. We trudge off yet again to the battlefield. We lift the fallen. We give succor to the wounded. We do as much damage to the enemy as we are able. We muster our brethren. We encourage the weary. We rally our resources. And in our own weaknesses and struggles, we receive support from our brothers in arms under the cross. We bear the armor, and we wield the sword. Battles are won, and battles are lost. But we always rise again to fight another day, until we leave the Church Militant for the Church Triumphant. For we know how the war ends.
And yet through the chaos, through the tears, through the burden of not being able to carry out our duties as children, grandchildren, and as pastors, we continue greet one another with the joyful defiance of the triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe and are baptized:
'“Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia.”