Lessons from the High Seas: Embracing WWII Discipline
I completed reading The Good Shepherd. The book tells a gripping tale of naval warfare during World War II, focusing on Commander George Krause’s intense 48-hour mission to protect a convoy from relentless German U-boat attacks. The novel explores themes of leadership, faith, and the psychological toll of war, portraying the challenges crossing the Atlantic in WWII. If this sounds familiar, it inspired the motion picture Greyhound, starring Tom Hanks.
What struck me watching the movie and reading the novel was the level of attention and discipline these sailors needed to exhibit. With U-boats relentlessly stalking, the captain and his crew needed to stay on high alert. Krause took it upon himself to maintain a good example for his crew. The book dives into his thoughts on why he couldn’t take a break, eat, sleep, or even sit down because the crew needed to see their commander taking his responsibilities seriously. He couldn’t afford any lapse in concentration that would allow a U-boat to slip through and sink the ships they were protecting.
Standing Alert: Strategies for Daily Readiness
The book made me think about discipline and setting examples in my life. Military crews in a battle need to stay alert because their lives are on the line. The danger is real and immediate, requiring the utmost attention to detail. For example, a sailor faced near dismissal during a tense U-boat encounter after coughing and confusing the bridge officers on the command he was relaying. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about maintaining such a high level of conduct in our daily lives. Or do we?
God also calls us to remain on high alert against temptation and sin our entire lives. Similar to a naval crew during battle, we need to remain forever vigilant against Satan’s attempts to destroy souls. We are the Church Militant because we’re engaged in a spiritual battle against sin, evil, and demonic forces that oppose God’s will. We rarely think of our daily lives having the same intensity as a WWII battle. However, the stakes are so much higher. We aren’t fighting to keep our bodies alive. We fight for our eternal souls.
Commander Krause’s dedication to his convoy mirrors the Church Militant’s call to selfless service and steadfast devotion to its mission. Just as a destroyer shields its convoy from danger, God calls believers to live with vigilance, unity, and perseverance in the face of challenges. This comparison highlights the Church’s duty to guide, support, and protect its members while actively confronting spiritual struggles.
The Church Militant: United in the Fight Against Darkness
Have you ever wondered why Mary uses military terminology in her Rosary promises? She refers to the Rosary as “powerful armor against Hell” or how it “destroys vice.” Mary wants us to realize that we are in a battle and that she provides us with an indispensable weapon. I know it’s difficult for us to think of our lives this way. We desire a life of leisure and relative simplicity. The good news is that God offers us the means to live protected from the enemy and danger. He gives us the Mass, the sacraments, the saints, hosts of angels, and the Rosary. They form strong, unbreachable walls and fortifications around our souls. When we follow God and put our trust in Him, we’re well protected on our voyage to Heaven.
Let us remain ever watchful, our spirits attuned to the whispers of divine guidance. With prayer as our weapon and hope as our shield, we march forward, not as victims but as victors. The call is clear: to stay alert, to fight the good fight, and to claim the victory that Jesus has already won for us. Now is the time to rise, unwavering and unyielding, as warriors of light in a world that desperately needs it.