For the last two days we have considered saints and sinners, the deceased ones. Today's gospel offers us some serious thoughts on this post-election day. The challenges that have confronted the saints and those who have died before us are not easy. In the gospel we are reminded by Jesus of the realities that can create serious difficulties for us in our efforts to work our way to the Promised Land at the end of our lives.
Martin de Porres, whose feast is celebrated today, reminds us through his life that all of us are "Christian soldiers" who daily march into various battles. Just think of the challenges, the battles, that the newly elected or newly re-elected politicians we confront. Just think of the challenges we will have to face as we watch the individuals who may have received our votes.
We will be a stronger "miles Christi," a soldier of Christ, to use the ancient title ascribed to those who went forth into a daily battle to protect the Kingdom of God here on earth. We will earn success if we do not forget that ahead of us we want to have Christ on the Cross as our banner. "Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim" contains a verse we might remember: "Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conqu'ring ranks combine."
We do raise the Christian banner as we face the challenges of daily life because we know that it our safeguard, our grace, our support from the Son of God himself.
