“Soldiers for Christ” is a term used in our Christian life of faith but it is an ambiguous term in that it lends itself to different meanings for different people and it is an image that can be depicted and has been depicted in a variety of ways.  There are references to being “soldiers for Christ” (2 Tim 2:3) and putting on “the armor of God” (Eph. 6:11-17) in scripture and these passages highlight the resolve and determination that the life of faith demands.  Jesus never denounced military service; at one point he commends the faith of the Roman centurion (Mt. 8:5-13) and he made use of military images in his teaching (i.e. Mt. 14:31-33) but Jesus himself never used the term “soldier” in reference to his followers. 

My fallback for direction in the use of this term and its imagery is the “Standard of Christ” that St. Ignatius of Loyola speaks of in his spiritual exercises.  St. Ignatius came from a military background.  He knew the role that the lifted military standard or banner played in relaying orders and focusing the movement of soldiers across the chaos of a battlefield before there was any form of electronic communication.  Soldiers in St. Ignatius’ time knew to focus on their standard as the success of the battle and their very lives depended upon it. 

In the exercises, St. Ignatius encourages us to reflect on the two standards: the standard of Christ and the standard of Satan.  The standard of Satan is marked by riches, desire for vain honor and surging pride.  In contrast, the standard of Christ calls forth three steps: “the first, poverty in opposition to riches; the second, reproaches or contempt in opposition to honor from the world; and the third, humility in opposition to pride.” (SE 146) It is in these three steps that the good soldier rallies under the standard of Christ and knows success in the battle with the powers of the world.

“Poverty in opposition to riches.”  When the world says, “More is better.” the soldier under the standard of Christ learns that less is enough and that choosing the less leads to a joy that the world cannot offer.  Those who place themselves under the standard of Christ are called to learn and grow in appreciation of both the material and spiritual poverty that Jesus himself exemplified in order to learn reliance on God and to grow in relationship with God.  Why are you anxious about clothes?  Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.  They do not work or spin.  But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.  If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not provide for you, O you of little faith?  (Mt. 6:28-30)  A mark of the soldier of Christ is the ability and the desire to choose the less, just as Jesus did. 

“Reproaches or contempt in opposition to honor from the world.”  Just as Jesus himself was doubted, viewed with suspicion, misunderstood, the subject of slander, mockery and ridicule so will the soldier, who freely stands under the standard of Christ, be.  The disciple is not one who willingly seeks these things out nor revels in them (a badge of honor quickly leading into the sin of pride) but rather, learns that there are abundant graces received when one can walk through such moments as they come in faith and trust.  The disciple knows, that by so doing, he or she is walking where Jesus walked and that Jesus, himself, is present in companionship.  There is grace to be found when one is misunderstood, rejected and viewed in contempt for holding true to Jesus.  Whether or not it is recognized and valued by friend, stranger or neighbor, it is recognized and valued by Jesus and Jesus makes himself known to those who walk through reproaches and contempt for him.  The true soldier remains close to Jesus and patiently endures the storm if needed.    

“Humility in opposition to pride.”  The eternal Word let go of glory and humbly took the form of a slave being born of a virgin.  Jesus embraced humility throughout his life and ministry upon this earth.  Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and he humbly bore the weight of the cross.  In humble acceptance to the will of the Father, he even embraced death on the cross.  Humility is the road that Jesus himself walked and it is the disciple’s royal road of return to the Father.  It is within the humble heart alone that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit make their dwelling-place.  Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.  (Jn. 14:23)  Soldiers for Christ come to know humility both as a needed virtue and as a privileged place of encounter with the Triune God. 

What does it mean to be a soldier for Christ?  St. Ignatius, through his Spiritual Exercises, gives us a good understanding.  The soldier for Christ is the one who remains under the Standard of Christ.  The soldier for Christ is the one who learns the value of poverty, the value of reproaches and contempt and the value of humility.