Ecumenism!

The other evening I walked into the Chapel to pray.  As was usual for some nights, there was a Evangelical / Contemporary Christian band practicing for Sunday Service.  As they packed up to leave, I could hear that the Chapel was getting quiet... until I heard footsteps, the low buzz of speakers being turned on, then Praise and Worship music.  I continued my praying, all this time hidden away in the little Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the back of the main chapel where all of the noise was coming from.  I have been in there on some nights minding my own business, only to walk out to a scream / shriek / or gasp, as I surprised a group of people who were in the Chapel, not expecting anyone else to be there.  So - I thought it would be prudent to open the door and let whoever was out there know I was in there too.  I decided to do this as the noise in the Chapel progressed from Praise and Worship music (from a recording) to the listener singing at the top of his lungs with the music.  I didn't mind the guy doing his best.  The music was such that it praised the Lord for His greatness, His Love, etc..  This guy was also praying - just in his own way, just as I was praying in my own way too.  The words of St. Augustine came to mind: 'He who sings, prays twice.'  When I figured I should go, I genuflected, turned off the lights, then slowly opened the door so as not to surprise anyone.  The soldier turned off the music and we greeted each other.  At first, the discusion was uneasy - with both of us trying to figure each other out.  With a little persistence, a lot of smiling, and extending the branch of 'we're both here praying to love Our Lord more' - the discussion turned into two soldiers of two Christian faiths talking with the common language of loving Jesus.  Just then it occurred to me that while some may think and profess that here in war, soldiers do everything contrary to Jesus' Commandment of 'love thy neighbour' - that that belief is totally untrue!  Here those who truly love God try and are forced to find the common language of Love Himself.  Here I have had the opportunity to have gone to Holy Mass, prayed the Holy Rosary, read the Gospel, learned about the Qu'ran, shared the Holy Bible and conversed about prayerful relationships with God (and learned also) with Muslims; I have also had the opportunity to discuss with Evangelical Protestants what they believe, and exchange with them thoughts (and prayers!).  Here we deal with all sorts... but they are all here.  When we all talk the common language that is a loving God... we all get along.  We know that God can turn any bad situation into something that has great good.  I imagine that perhaps in this conflict, maybe this is one of the many wonderful things He had in mind.  There is no glory in war, but in war there can be the Glory of God.  I don't say this lightly - lately we've sent home many who have given their lives in this country for something.  Out of justice to them and their families - we have to find and acknowledge the great good that is happening - even in the midst of chaos... or their lives would have been for nothing, and I refuse to accept that.  All the sacrifice of everyone - the troops and their families - counts for something... and only Our Lord knows the magnitude of that worth.