Our Collect this week provides us with military language consonant with the three-fold understanding of Holy Church as Militant, Suffering, and Triumphant.
We are presented as lightly burdened foot soldiers (expediti) on an urgent mission. We are beset by enemies and obstacles (adversantia). Before battles soldiers would shed their heavier gear in order to move more freely. By grueling and repetitious training, their bodies are strengthened and hardened. Because of tedious drills, their minds are freed up (liberis mentibus).
Though they are afraid, they act when their commanders are sure, true, courageous.
This is the ideal for the soldier. It must be the Christian ideal too.
