Remembrance Reflections

Rev. Jean Brown | Nov 04, 2010

Remembrance Day is just around the corner on Thursday November 11 when we will pause to remember the men and women who served in the First World War (1914- 1918), the Second World War (1939-1945) and the Korean War (1950-1953) and also those who died in subsequent peace keeping efforts.

Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, children, sweethearts were killed in action, wounded, raped, and many of those who returned were forever changed. Those who stayed in Canada also served - in factories , hospitals, in voluntary service organizations, wherever they were needed. We must remember and we must honour God who gives us memory and hope. There are always people who suggest that Remembrance Day is outmoded, and that it glorifies war and violence. I prefer to honour the kinds of actions that our brave fighters found themselves having to make in the midst of the war effort. They did it all for us- so that we might dwell in freedom and in peace today.

Take the torch - hold it high, do not break faith with those who have died, rather hold them and their ideals for peace in your hearts, minds, voices, ideas, plans and prayers. Remember the horrors of war and pledge “never again”. Take the torch- and commit to serving God in such a way that faith is not broken with those who died for peace and for freedom. Live in the way that God meant us to live - in freedom and with the intention of preserving that liberty, by doing all that makes for perpetual freedom - and for perpetual peace; by doing justice, and loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Then our actions, remembering and our memories committed to God can be used as instruments for peace, and our memories can be building blocks for a greater future.

May we, filled with the conviction that we can make a difference, carry the torch that has been entrusted to us, and with God’s help promote peace in our hearts and in our world.