+ On this Memorial Day, we reflect upon the value of human
life and the price that is sometimes paid in order to protect and defend it.
But first comes the fundamental attitude of respect for and love of all that
human life entails – from the moment of conception to natural death. Without
this basic attitude there is nothing really to protect and defend – if it is
arbitrary and based on selfish concerns.
That being said: we see how God valued all the life he created and
continues to create: he looked at it and called it good! We must do the same.
When persons and countries do not do the same, then there is cause for
strife, contention and war – war being the means to “right a wrong” – if two
wrongs can make a right in certain circumstances. But the ultimate motivation
for the war must be the returning of the general population to a community of
respected persons who can live out their lives in freedom of choice and
conscience for the building up of the earthly community and city.
When there is war, there are casualties, there is injury, and there are
broken lives and families on both sides of the cause. We pray today for a healing
for all the ill that war causes, and for the repose of the souls of all those
on both sides of a conflict who gave their lives doing what they thought was
best.
The only winners in war – our gospel passage tells us today – are those
who believe in the resurrection of the dead – as Martha modeled for all of us.
Jesus tells her that he is the
resurrection and the life that follows death, and if one believes in him he
will live forever. This is an amazing consolation for all those who fight
and die for a just cause. It is said there are no atheists in foxholes. I
believe this. And I also believe that personal belief in God’s promises is a
strong underlying strength to all who fight and die for their brothers, and
their families and their country.
And so, on this Memorial Day, we thank and honor those who have thus
given their lives. We thank and honor their surviving families and friends who
still carry on their memory and legacy of hope. And we thank and honor the God
who gave courage when it was needed and guidance and direction for heroic
behaviors when they seemed almost impossible to accomplish.
The victor will inherit great gifts
from God and they will be his children forever! For he is the Beginning and the
End who makes all things new!
Amen! Amen!
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