The Armor of God

and

A Sir Knight’s Sword

Sir Knight Ed Hiehle, Faithful Trustee

Reverend Bernard. F. Kuhlman Assembly

Assembly 815

Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus

Background…

Did you ever think about the purpose and value of a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus sword?

I’m always quick to have a thought on almost any topic, and indeed I have a strong opinion on the Fourth Degree’s use of a sword.

To begin, a quick check of the New American Bible shows the word “sword” is used dozens of times. One passage comes from St. Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus in Asia Minor, that is, Ephesians Chapter 6, verses 10 to 17. Going back some years ago when my friend, a Brother Sir Knight, and I were leaders of our Color Corps, this passage became one of our favorites. We called it the “Put on the Armor of God” passage…

10 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.

11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.

13 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground

14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate 

15. and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:10-17)

Analysis…

There is no doubt St. Paul is talking about a battle—a spiritual battle, but none the less--real!  And who is our adversary? St. Paul makes it very clear—the Devil! Did you ever hear the saying, “The greatest lie is that the Devil does NOT exist?” He does exist! And we should know he is a powerful opponent. By ourselves we are no match for him. St. Peter (1 Peter 5:8) tells us to “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.”

For this battle we must rely on the Lord for His help (Eph 6:10, 11 and 13). We are told to take our strength from God and be prepared by donning the armor of God. While St. Paul is talking specifically about military armor, he is also speaking symbolically about the virtues pieces of armor represent: truth and righteousness are represented by the protective covering of ones lower torso and chest (Eph 6:14); readiness to hear and spread the Gospel are symbolized by protective shoes (6:15); Faith is our protective shield for all forms of attacks (Eph 6:16); our salvation is symbolized by our helmet (6:17); and the Word of God is our sword (also from Eph 6:17). The defeat of a spiritual enemy requires the power and the might of the Lord and the protection offered by His spiritual armor.

Understanding…

The sword, representing the Word of God, is special in that the Word is a gift of the Holy Spirit—a gift He further makes understandable to us. I believe the sword was intentionally listed last because of its importance—the Word of God implanted in each of us by the Holy Spirit, is the means by which the other virtues are conveyed to us. Are there characteristics of a sword that might relate to the Word of God? Absolutely! How many times have you had to stop and contemplate the meaning of a verse of Scripture. Well, a sword—a Sir Knight’s sword—has two cutting edges that can relate to possible double/multiple interpretations of a passage of Scripture. And once the meaning is known—the Word of God can cut and pierce just as a sword blade can. I cannot think of one time during the hundreds of hours participating in Church services that I ever thought of my sword as a physical weapon with which to hurt something or someone. This is abhorrent to me! As a Sir Knight, in or out of my uniform, I do not feel like a soldier ready to take the blood of an enemy. Definitely not! Remember we are fighting a spiritual enemy whose defeat is dependent upon spiritual weapons and armor. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 we learn “For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses.” To believe a Sir Knight’s sword is a weapon is to lose perspective that the sword is symbolic; the real battle is a spiritual one. I wish everyone understood this.

Feeling…

There is no doubt that as I carry my sword, I do feel strong, as if I have the strength of God more than I ever had during my earlier life. The sword is my symbol of the armor of God lifting me up to do His will. By standing in Church with my sword I feel the protection of the Lord all around me, and I am emboldened by St. Paul saying five times: “…to stand firm…,” “…to resist…,” “…to hold your ground…,” “…stand fast…,” and finally, “…hold faith...”! I hope the main point is clear…we are in a battle--a spiritual battle--and we must be prepared as we cannot win the fight by ourselves. The real-life day-to-day battle in which we are engaged requires God’s power and might and the armor given to us by the good Lord.

A Final Thought…

There is one additional thought I would like to share…with all the discussion of armor, there is one part of our body not specifically protected. Do you know what that might be? For many of us Catholic Christians engaged in spiritual battles with the devil, we are perhaps vulnerable at our backs. Think along with me…maybe…that’s why the good Lord led me/us to be fraternal members of the Knights of Columbus, so you have my back to protect and I yours. Perhaps our example to one another, our support and our prayers for one another, are needed to complete the uniform—to complete the armor of God. Put on the Armor of God…and be a Sir Knight!

Pro Deo et Patria!