Fourth Sunday of Advent meditation from Catholics in the Military:

....I've taken the trouble to go over these very particular conditions [for just war] to make it clear to any open-minded reader that there is--at the very least--a clear argument for holding that the present war in Iraq is a just war. Consequently, those who hold that it is not just (such as those bloggers, clerical and otherwise, that I mentioned) are simply stating their opinion. Unfortunately, they do not ever seem to make it clear that the view they hold is just that: merely an opinion. Indeed their opinion is (in classical Catholic morality) the less probable opinion. I say this because, in the widely-regarded moral system of St Alphonsus of Liguori, if something is established by the law (in this case the declaration of war and statement of causes for declaring war), it has the presumption of being the more probably correct opinion.....

So, how does all this tie in to what we said about Advent, Christmas, and peace? Our presumptions concerning our Catholic faithful in the military should be that they are in good faith (since "charity believes all things"); they are engaged, often enough amid great hardship and sacrifice, in a just war to protect one of our greatest natural goods, the safety and prosperity of the nation. In other words, these Catholics (including their priest-chaplains) most certainly are to be considered in union with, and serving under, the Prince of Peace, who desires that the tranquillity of order (as St Augustine defines "peace") should reign everywhere, even where violent men violently resist it. If, therefore, you ever had doubts about the war and those who help to wage it--especially our fellow members of the "household of the faith"--cast them aside! And pray for the safety and salvation of all those who have done so much, risked so much, and continue to endure much for the sake of things very dear to the Heart of the Saviour. To all of you and yours, a most blessed and holy Advent and Christmas!

Also, Christmas posts from Mike the Marine and from Mudville Gazette. Jonathan Lee is with us this year; pray for, and thank, those who are over there.