“This poor widow… has
contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." Mk 12:44
What does Batman have in common with the widow in today’s
Gospel reading? Although the comic book hero may not have much in common with
her, many of the “batmen” who served the officers of the British army share her
generous and giving heart.
Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien attests that he based
his loyal and steadfast character, Samwise Gamgee, on these unsung heroes of World
War I. In Britain at that time, young men were chosen as officers by virtue of
their class and station, and the enlisted men who served them were often far
more experienced than they themselves were. Tolkien, an intellectual young man,
was ill at ease in the role of a military officer, but as a university student
he was trained and ordained to lead others in battle.
Cast into the horrific conditions of trench warfare, the
young officer was unprepared for what he would witness and endure. The “batmen”
who were assigned to serve him gained his respect and gratitude, and were later
immortalized in his famous tale. He confirmed this in a letter some years
later, saying, “My “Samwise” is indeed… a
reflexion of the English soldier – grafted on the village-boys of early days,
the memory of the privates and my batmen that I knew in the 1914 War, and
recognized as so far superior to myself.”
Sam, the gardener, steps up to accompany “Mr. Frodo” on his
quest to destroy the evil ring. Frodo has been chosen for the task, but without
Sam he may never have completed it. Sam protects and serves Frodo throughout
the journey, sacrificing himself without hesitation or complaint. Like the
batmen, Sam receives little recognition or glory, yet he gives every ounce of
his strength to the mission. And like the widow, he holds nothing back for
himself.
On this Veterans’ Day, let us remember and pray for all
those nameless and un-medaled soldiers who humbly gave all to defend and
protect us in battle. May their sacrifices, known to God alone, be counted as “more
than all the others.” And for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their
lives, let us pray:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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