..also know as the Knights of Saint John, the name of the hospital they brought people to.
Often when I watch the news I’m disgusted with how negative it is! How many times have you said, “only bad things make it on the news”! Lately though, it’s understandable that the focus has been on the atrocities in our nation. Just last year the horrific mass murder at a movie theater in Colorado last July, another at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in August, another at a manufacturer in Minneapolis in September—and then the unthinkable nightmare at a Connecticut elementary school in December. At the time of the writing of this post we’ve just gone through a terrorist attack in Boston and the tragic explosion in a fertilizer plant in Texas. One of the common experiences of all these terrible incidents is the flow of first responders into the scene while citizens flee away from the scene.
It’s not that surprising that loved ones of those in tradgedy run toward the danger. The age old writing says,
“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—”
(Romans 5:7 ESV)
But these “first responders” make it their career to run toward danger and save those in it not knowing if the people are good people or not. Maybe they do what they do for money? If you knew the details, you’d know that cant be true! What then motivates this? The thrill and adrenal rush around the tasks in the job? Again, not worth it!
Like I mention on my website http://www.ForSaving.Org the history of the Fire?EMS comes out of the Crusades and knights (Hospitallers) whose job was to bring people from the burning front lines to the protected area further back from danger. The Maltese cross was the symbol that represented these knights. The four points of the cross were likely defined out of the actions of the knights.
Historically the four stems of the cross represented Faith, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. Let’s take a look at the meanings of these four words.
Faith in it’s most foundational sense is simply belief. For the firefighter and Paramedic the belief is in the value of human life. Present day hospitallers believe people are worth saving and worth the years of training and the danger that Firefigher/EMS put themselves in.
Innocent, defenseless, and injured people cannot stand up for or defend themselves. People who practice justice understand that someone has to step into that role of defending or saving others. This motivation is a timeless and noble tradition in those who act on others behalf.
Temperance is more than just self-control. It is the willingness to give measured strength in a way that will bring about the best outcome. Firefighers/EMS continually have to practice this quality by being willing to give of themselves to the degree that is necessary with the restraint or aggression required to accomplish the task.
Over time we sometimes slide from why we do an action or think the way we do, to just acting and thinking… not knowing… even caring why. It’s good to remember why we originally were motivated in this direction and consider if we’re still on track with our motivation.
In my blog, I want to focus on the issues around the characterological reasons for doing things, versus doing things because of what it might get you. Simply put, the war between “being” and “doing”. It’s one thing to do a heroic act and another to be a hero. Tune in as I try to figure out the difference!
Chaplain Ron
ForSaving 