At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them, we will remember them.
We will remember them, we will remember them.
This week we observe the solemnity of remembrance day, a tradition that has deep roots especially with those who were personally impacted by the wars of the past century. However, the reality of war, and the impact of war is hitting younger people today given our countries involvement in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. As well, the media and social networking has highlighted how all of us are affected by war, injustice, oppression and violence as we live in this global village of this 21st century.
My father in law served in the second world war. I was asked in one of my photography courses to compose a photograph that represented Canada. The part our country has played in conflicts around the world in the past and in the present is an integral part to who we are and how we are seen by others. The image I composed has the portrait of him in his uniform, his metals and a poppy covered cross set against the backdrop of a war memorial monument. These are all symbolic of how his family remember him and the sacrifice he was willing to make for his country.
I can remember vividly the years of my childhood and youth attending the yearly Remembrance Day ceremonies at the cenotaph in our community. Mid November is often associated with weather that is cold, damp and sometimes rainy. But the community gathered none the less and still does to this day. This memorial monument to those who fought in the wars of the 20th century is in the center of town and very much at the heart of the community of Port Dalhousie. It is a reminder of how important it is to remember and never forget the sacrifices that were made in the fight for justice, freedom and peace. Each year, the veterans and members of the legion parade to the cenotaph and back along with various service groups and politicians. The church is also present, active, visible and participating in this yearly act of remembrance. The faithful gather, whether they attend church regularly or not, and prayer, faith and readings from scripture are an integral part of this observance.
Taking a clo
ser look at the monument itself, the soldier is respectfully laying a wreath at a cross. I don't think it's coincidence that the markers of many of the soldier's graves were in the form of a cross. I havn't had the privilege of going to the cemeteries in Europe. However, I have been struck by similar scenes I've seen in my various visits to places in the United States. Their cemeteries often have large sections reserved for those who died in the fight for freedom. The sight of the rows and rows of white crosses is quite profound. For me, that is the intersection of the experience of life and of faith.
The ultimate sacrifice we be
lieve in as followers of Christ is the image of Jesus dying on the cross. That shows to us how much God loves us, that he would allow His Son to die so that we may have life; so we'd know we are forgiven the sins we commit against Him and against one another; so that we might experience the gift of healing and peace in our lives and world of brokenness and despair. This image is so profound for me. And, I can only imagine how God wept that it took this for us to even begin to remotely see, recognize and believe that God wants so much more for us than we can ever attain or create on our own, no matter how many wars are fought; no matter how many lives are lost.
As I enter into the acts of remembrance this week, I want to honor my father in law and others like him. I also think of how much God must still grieve and cry tears of sadness at what is becoming of His world, His people everywhere, the innocence that is lost day to day and the injustices that are perpetuated. And I pray that we might eventually learn from all the past that in war no one ever really wins and that together we all lose; I pray that leaders of nations might truly desire to work with each other for the common good of all people; that as the prophet Isaiah says, swords will someday be turned into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; and most importantly, from the prophet Micah, that we might be faithful in our living out of all our relationships as strive to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Amen.
My father in law served in the second world war. I was asked in one of my photography courses to compose a photograph that represented Canada. The part our country has played in conflicts around the world in the past and in the present is an integral part to who we are and how we are seen by others. The image I composed has the portrait of him in his uniform, his metals and a poppy covered cross set against the backdrop of a war memorial monument. These are all symbolic of how his family remember him and the sacrifice he was willing to make for his country.
I can remember vividly the years of my childhood and youth attending the yearly Remembrance Day ceremonies at the cenotaph in our community. Mid November is often associated with weather that is cold, damp and sometimes rainy. But the community gathered none the less and still does to this day. This memorial monument to those who fought in the wars of the 20th century is in the center of town and very much at the heart of the community of Port Dalhousie. It is a reminder of how important it is to remember and never forget the sacrifices that were made in the fight for justice, freedom and peace. Each year, the veterans and members of the legion parade to the cenotaph and back along with various service groups and politicians. The church is also present, active, visible and participating in this yearly act of remembrance. The faithful gather, whether they attend church regularly or not, and prayer, faith and readings from scripture are an integral part of this observance.Taking a clo
ser look at the monument itself, the soldier is respectfully laying a wreath at a cross. I don't think it's coincidence that the markers of many of the soldier's graves were in the form of a cross. I havn't had the privilege of going to the cemeteries in Europe. However, I have been struck by similar scenes I've seen in my various visits to places in the United States. Their cemeteries often have large sections reserved for those who died in the fight for freedom. The sight of the rows and rows of white crosses is quite profound. For me, that is the intersection of the experience of life and of faith.The ultimate sacrifice we be
lieve in as followers of Christ is the image of Jesus dying on the cross. That shows to us how much God loves us, that he would allow His Son to die so that we may have life; so we'd know we are forgiven the sins we commit against Him and against one another; so that we might experience the gift of healing and peace in our lives and world of brokenness and despair. This image is so profound for me. And, I can only imagine how God wept that it took this for us to even begin to remotely see, recognize and believe that God wants so much more for us than we can ever attain or create on our own, no matter how many wars are fought; no matter how many lives are lost.As I enter into the acts of remembrance this week, I want to honor my father in law and others like him. I also think of how much God must still grieve and cry tears of sadness at what is becoming of His world, His people everywhere, the innocence that is lost day to day and the injustices that are perpetuated. And I pray that we might eventually learn from all the past that in war no one ever really wins and that together we all lose; I pray that leaders of nations might truly desire to work with each other for the common good of all people; that as the prophet Isaiah says, swords will someday be turned into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; and most importantly, from the prophet Micah, that we might be faithful in our living out of all our relationships as strive to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Amen.
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