On The Theban Legion And Spiritual Combat
Toward the end of the 3rd century, there took place an event that was as bizarre as it was beautiful. These were times of harsh Roman rule, when the heavy hand of Rome’s military might marched to conquer both land and people. Diocletian, the infamous Roman emperor – exceptional in his gross persecution of Christians – and co-emperor Maximian ordered a legion from Thebes to Gaul (modern day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland and northern Italy, as well as parts of the Netherlands and Germany west of the Rhine.)
It was here that this Theban legion, consisting entirely of Christians commanded by Maurice and others, was ordered to camp and give sacrifice to the pagan gods.
These 6,000 (accounts vary on the numbers) soldiers of Rome refused the emperor’s call to sacrifice to the pagan gods in favor of their higher calling to God. They refused the orders of man in order that they might live as true men. Thus, they were judged to be enemies of Rome (and sons of God). Upon hearing this, the emperor ordered the legion to be decimated (the killing of every tenth man).
This caused no change in the hearts of these heroic soldiers, and another decimation was ordered. Upon seeing their resolve, the entire legion was ordered to be slain at the hands of their fellow soldiers, to whom they lifted not a sword to defend themselves.
This is an extraordinary example of man’s ability to be both brutal as well as majestic. I often ask myself if I would have had the fortitude to stand idle while my brothers were being slain by evil men. If I had commanded this legion, I would have been tempted to draw my sword and lead these men into a glorious battle against the very emperor himself. And yet, these men did not.
I often ask for the intercession of the martyrs of this Theban legion to aid me in the many battles I face in this spiritual life. The concept of spiritual combat – our internal struggles with sin and the culture of death – is often shrugged away by many who wish to concentrate more on the softer side of this journey.
I agree that we should focus on God’s mercy, love and grace in our lives – to a point. Though sin and evil should not, in any way, be the main focus of our spiritual journey, we cannot completely ignore its existence. To do so is to put ourselves at grave risk.
Theological writings throughout history, beginning with Scripture, make abundantly clear that we are in a struggle with evil (external forces that seek to place a wedge between ourselves and God) and sin (our own internal struggles with living grace-filled lives in union with God).
If this reality is, in fact, true, then we must engage in this spiritual combat to erase sin in our lives and pray for others to do the same. It is in the never-ending struggle between good and evil that we have been placed through our Baptism. When we were claimed by Christ through the Church, we were placed in the ranks of God, as were those noble men of Thebes, to do battle with the evil one.
These may be harsh words for many; and yet as we enter a time of preparation and celebration (All Saints Day and Christmas), we must be invigorated to wash away our weaknesses so that we will be able to welcome the infant Jesus into our lives and one day take our rest in the Kingdom of God.
Eric Girten is a lifelong member of Holy Rosary Parish in Evansville. He welcomes your feedback at girtenclan@wowway.com.
