Recite the Creed to Prepare for Spiritual Battle

Our world is occupied territory.  All of us are in a spiritual battle each day.  But not everyone recognizes the seriousness of the situation or works to prepare for the challenges each day presents.

So how should one prepare for spiritual battle?  While spiritual battle is not the same as physical battle, we can still take a cue from those who must be prepared to fight physical battles.

Within the military, an army is organized into corps, divisions, brigades, and so on.  Specific to the U.S. Army, the infantry branch has Ranger regiments, battalions, and companies which are trained with much higher expectations than the basic infantry.

Rangers and the Ranger Creed

Every morning during formation, Rangers as a group recite the Ranger Creed.  It is definitely worth reading.

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, “esprit de corps” of my Ranger Battalion.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be.  One hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care for equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

Note that the letter starting each paragraph spells out the word Ranger.  Every sentence is crafted to clearly and concisely spell out principles, expectations, and ideals for a Ranger.   One can learn much from this creed as many of its principles are universal.

Why do Rangers begin each day by reciting the Ranger Creed?  The answer is to reinforce the core values the Rangers honor.  Much of winning in battle is discipline of the mind.  Knowing what one believes reinforces that discipline.

Standing Orders

Not only are Rangers expected to recite the Ranger Creed daily, they are also expected to know all 19 standing orders, set down in 1759 by Major Robert Rogers when the United States were still colonies.   Let me share the first five standing orders which are somewhat general in nature.

1. Don’t forget nothing.
2. Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute’s warning.
3. When you’re on the march, act the way you would if you was sneaking up on a deer. See the enemy first.
4. Tell the truth about what you see and what you do. There is an army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don’t never lie to a Ranger or officer.
5. Don’t never take a chance you don’t have to.

Even though they are written in 18^th century English, these orders are core values for a Ranger in the U.S. Army. Every Ranger is expected not just to memorize these orders, but to understand them and their reason, as well as how to apply the order in today’s modern combat.

Catholics and the Creeds 

Modern Catholics face the same challenges.  Although spiritual combat is different than physical battle, spiritual battle also begins in the mind and knowing what one believes.

Reciting the Apostles Creed daily when saying the rosary, or saying the Nicene Creed during Mass, are Catholic ways of stating our principles and ideals.  Every sentence was crafted clearly and concisely over centuries to help one prepare for spiritual battles.

Some argue that read prayers are mindless repetition with little value.  However, when saying the creeds, one must speak the words deliberately and understand what each line means.  Moreover, if you disagree with any line on these creeds, one should not falsely claim to be Catholic.

Our Standing Orders

Christians also have standing orders from our Supreme Commander in heaven – the 10 Commandments.

While God was man, Christ also gave us some additional, very clear standing orders:

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and the first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matt 22:37-40).

Then at the Last Supper Christ said: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34).  The expectations are clear.

Understanding Creeds and Principles

However, honoring our Creeds and Standing Orders can be challenge.  Note that every Ranger is expected not just to memorize Rogers’ standing orders, but to understand them and their reason, as well as how to apply the order in today’s world.  The fact that they are written in 18^th century English for 18^th century situations is not an excuse to dismiss them.

This applies to Catholics as well.  Just because the Commandments are thousands of years old, and even the Apostle’s Creed is over 2,000 years old, is not an excuse to dismiss them as old fashion or outdated.  One must accept the burden of applying these teachings in today’s modern world.  Moreover, we need to apply them the way God intends, not the way we want them interpreted.

This is not a new problem.  Pope Pius IV wrote the Trentine Creed in 1564 as a means of communicating values in the modern world of his time.  It is double the length of the Nicene Creed as it clarifies loopholes used to justify sins of its time.

In 1968, Pope Paul VI wrote the Creed of the People of God to proclaim the basic and essential beliefs of the Catholic Faith as received from Christ.  At over 3,500 words long, Pope Paul VI’s Creed carefully included elements of the faith that were and continue to be challenged in the 21^st century.

Do the Next Right Thing

In preparation for the spiritual battles to be faced, it is worth reciting the Creed every day.  This simple prayer reminds and reinforces Catholic values and principles.

As Catholics we must know and understand the principles of our Faith.  Reciting the Creed will not give us instructions for what to do in every situation.  However, the principles it instills will help one do the right thing.