(Growing Strong in the Season of Lent, Lent 2)

There is an absurd story that comes out of World War II. An American soldier in Tunisia lost his bayonet. Rather than face the consequences of admitting he had lost this important weapon, he carved an excellent facsimile out of wood and placed it in the scabbard at his side.

For weeks he went about his duties carrying this fake bayonet. He was safe from getting into trouble as long as his deception went undetected.  However, one day the much dreaded order came from his sergeant, “Fix bayonets.” That meant he would have to show his bayonet. Thinking quickly, the soldier hatched a plan. When the order was given, he simply stood still, not moving a muscle. The sergeant demanded an explanation. 

“It’s a promise I made to my father,” said the gu…