by Sir Knight David P. McCash
When a Sir Knight dons his uniform and straps on the sword of his knighthood, he stands set apart from the rest of the peers of his generation. He not only represents the order to which he belongs, but he stands as a manifestation of that noble character that is held in high esteem before God and man.
In the modern military of the United States of America, officers of the Marine Corps are required to own and wear a sword during ceremonial events. Likewise, every Naval officer at or above the rank of Lieutenant Commander is required to own a sword. The sword is said to be the emblem of military honor and should incite the bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honor and virtue.
Besides inciting the bearer to a generous pursuit of honor and virtue, the sword is symbolic of liberty and strength. What are symbols? Symbols are important to help remind us of important truths. Symbols are a timeless language that gives visual form to ideas and feelings that may otherwise defy the power of words.
Thus, the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians used the symbols and imagery of armor for men of God to protect themselves and defend against the "wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). He admonished the man of Christ of his day to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" and went on to describe military garb that is fit for the battle. In each description Paul gave from head to foot, whether the breastplate, buckler, shield, helmet, sword, etc., a corresponding meaning of that particular symbol.
Paul uses the sword as a symbol, telling the men of Ephesus to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" and speak boldly the "mystery of the gospel" (Eph. 6:17 & 19). As in Paul's day and probably more so in our very own, Paul's declaration that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" is never more needed by the modern Knight Templar.
Even though the modern Knight looks back to medieval days when chivalry and nobility were openly celebrated, and to wield a sword meant combat against a foe's "flesh and blood," the modern Knight should wield his sword symbolically in the defense of truth and against error.
Referring back to Paul's teaching, the sword is symbolic of the Holy Spirit which is the word of God, which word is truth. Thus, the modern Knight's words can dispel falsehood if we treasure up truth in our own minds and souls and use them in every situation where falsehood and error presents itself, "for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).
The day is fast approaching when the God and Lord of this earth, whom every Sir Knight is obligated to pattern his own life after, will wield His own sword, for "the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth" (Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints 1:13). For "out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations" (Rev. 19:15).
As we wear our swords ceremonially with our uniforms, may we also wield our swords in defense of truth against error in an age when falsehood and error parade themselves openly and acceptably before us.
Sir Knight David P. McCash is a member of Prather Commandery No. 62 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He can be contacted at dpmccash@yahoo.com and his website is: http://www.sirknightdavidpmccash.com