Remembrances

Remember Remember the 11^th of November

Today is Remembrance Day in Australia, remembering the fallen soldiers of Australia. The date is chosen thanks to the signing of the armistice of World War I on 11 November 1918. Standing there, I was thinking about what I would say if I were called upon to pray. Finally, I decided that they wouldn’t anyway—I’m not an Australian, and that’s appropriate. But, I figured it would have to be something like this: I stand here today feeling rather unworthy to represent the people of Australia; I’m an American. And though I feel a kind of mateship between our two peoples, I know I am not them. I share neither the history nor the heritage that binds this nation together. Yet the reason they gather today; to show silence and homage to the fallen brothers and sisters, comrades who gave their lives, is a sentiment which I can stand with them in. In my eyes at least, it seems that both their mates and my national brothers offered their lives in an invariable pursuit of the same ideals: liberty and justice for all. To this end, in the quest for the freedom of all people and in chase of global justice, we all stand here. We stand to proclaim, that for this cause, this motive and intangible entity, we too will willingly offer our lives. These qualities bid us, whether through life or death, to suffer any cost to see their advent a reality. For in this aim we find meaning and purpose. For your glory and a heart like yours, give us the strength, our Lord. Amen.

And may we never forget, in Jesus’ name.