This Far, No Further
The warrior, clad in blood-stained buckskin, stands ready, eyes scanning the surrounding hills. His face, marked with the warpaint of his clan, betrays his fatigue. He lives. Others have fallen, and the day is not yet done. His stance is poised, lance in hand. A deep gash on his thigh has clotted and sealed. Behind him, and to his left and to his right, are his brothers, each maintaining their vigilant watch. They form the perimeter around their village. Within are the elders and the women and children. And other warriors. But he and his brothers are no ordinary warriors. They are cut from a distinct cloth. For if you look down on the ankle of each of these warriors, you will find a commitment, a resolve. Around each ankle is a red sash, tied and running to a hardwood stake driven deep in the ground. Strongheart warriors. Named and chosen by their clan. Their commitment is their life. Here he stands to fight, until victory or until death. When the Enemy comes and presses in, threatening family and village, it is He who stands, staked, and says “This far. No further.”
And so it is today, in a society bereft of warriors, there are those few who have staked themselves to the ground standing against the tide of attacks on our children, our young people, our women and our men. So many live in a world without hope, suffering the bewilderment of a life of wounds. Oh, my friends, the Enemy’s sword has struck deeply. The perimeter has been breached. The heart of the village and the hearts of His people have been compromised. But our tethers are long and lances sharp. We will strike at the heart of the Enemy and show him…
“This far. No further.”
To my brothers in battle – John, Daniel, Tom, Msgr. Dale, Wilf, Malcolm, Wes – cover me. I’m goin’ in.
Going where called,
Doing what is asked.
Doug
