Devil Dogs

Living the Christian esprit de corps  

1 Corinthians 12:12-14  Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many.   

          Does anyone know what the French phrase “esprit de corps” means? Literally, it means the spirit of the body, but it really refers to the culture, the creed and the core beliefs of an organization. And every group or team has an essential esprit de corps.   

          When I was in high school I belonged to the Marine Corps ROTC program, and I learned what makes up the Marine esprit de corps. Now, some people think it is symbolized in the emblem of the eagle, globe and anchor, or in the Latin motto, “semper fidelis” (which means “always faithful”), or that they are called “Devil Dogs” because of how hard they fight, or their nickname of “jarheads” based on their high and tight haircuts. And to be sure all that goes into creating their culture. 

          But I believe the best of the Marine Corps spirit can be boiled down to one saying, namely, “no man left behind.” That means every Marine is willing to take a bullet and risk his life to save your’s; he’s got your back. Do you think that would make you want to fight like a Devil Dog knowing that every other Marine is fighting just as hard and would never leave you behind? Yeah, I think so. You see, every man in the Corps, whether he’s a lowly private or the top-ranked Commandant of the Corps, would go back into battle to save another Marine; not to save his own butt. That’s why the Marine Corps tag-line is “The few, the proud, the Marines,” because not many can meet that high standard, or breathe in that esprit de corps.   

          In the first reading today, St. Paul helps the Corinthians to understand the esprit de corps of Christians. And quite surprisingly, it turns out to be the same as that of the Marine Corps: “no man left behind.” St. Paul writes: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.” In other words, the esprit de corps of Christians is to love one another no matter who they are: rich or poor, smart or slow, beautiful or more beautiful. Indeed, Christians should especially love the lowliest, and lay down their life for each other. You see, like Marines, the esprit de corps of Christians is “leave no man behind.”   

          Boys and girls, what is the esprit de corps of Trinity Junior High? Is it embodied in the might of our mascot the Buffalo? Is it our Fight Song (which no one really knows)? Is it our band or Quiz Bowl or Cross country team (which came in 2nd overall last week). Sure, all that has something to do with it. But I would suggest to you that the best summation of our esprit de corps is “no man left behind.” And, by the way, I see you living by the spirit all the time: when so many came last night to cheer on the volleyball team, or when you sit next to a new student and make them feel welcome, or when you refuse to be “cliquish” or bully others, or when you help another student with their homework (but don’t let them copy your homework!). All these small but significant actions create the culture, the creed, and the core values of our school. In other words, YOU create the esprit de corps of Trinity Junior High School.   

          Boys and girls, make that spirit something you are proud of, like the Marines are proud of the Corps. Make the spirit of this school something you would want your children to breathe in someday. Make this school a place where you fight like Devil Dogs, because you fight for each other, and leave no one behind.   

          Praised be Jesus Christ!