War, heroism and the followers of Christ

May 28, 2012
Episcopal Cafe

Gary Hall, rector of Christ Church, Cranbrook, has written an excellent reflection on Memorial Day. I invite you to add link to other Memorial Day reflections in the comments.

He wrote:

Wilfred Owen died in battle just a week before the Armistice in 1918. His poems have stood as a reminder that, given the mechanized, hi tech efficiency with which we now can kill each other, modern warfare will be exponentially ever more grisly both to participate and behold. Our notions of heroism must evolve with the evolution of warfare. We should correspondingly praise and thank those who engage in military service on our behalf.

If Memorial Day means anything to us as followers of Jesus, we must see it as an occasion to renew our commitment to stand and work for peace, to help build a world in which the youth of our country will be able to live the fullness of their lives in the blessings of peace. As we celebrate this day, let us give thanks for those who have given their lives, let us honor those who continue to serve, and let us dedicate ourselves to being agents of blessing and peace.

0 0 vote

Article Rating

Café Comments?

Our comment policy requires that you use your real first and last names and provide an email address (your email will not be published). Comments that use non-PG rated language, include personal attacks, that are not provable as fact or that we deem in any way to be counter to our mission of fostering respectful dialogue will not be posted.

3 Comments

Newest

Oldest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Pete Haynsworth

June 2, 2012 8:36 am

from a pre-Memorial Day Wall Street Journal editorial:

“What Monday Means – A Memorial Day tradition renewed: Kudos to Jason DeSena Trennert for starting a campaign to bring the poppy back to Wall Street …”

—

Wore a construction-paper poppy, fabricated with grandson for Veterans’/Remembrance Day, to church last Sunday. The brand new rector – child & grandchild of bishops – had no idea what it represented.

Want to experience Remembrance Sunday solemnly observed next November? Check the St. Thomas-Fifth Avenue webcast. I believe that the priests may even wear poppies on their stoles. How, um, English!

tgflux

May 29, 2012 5:10 pm

“If in some smothering dream…”

Memory eternal, Wilfrid Owen—and all who have given their lives for their countries/causes.

WAR NO MORE!!!

JC Fisher

susan russell

May 29, 2012 12:17 am

God of love and mercy, receive our thanks this day for the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. Help us to honor them in our work for peace through justice, that people across the globe may live abundant lives freed from the threat of war and violence. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

Susan Russell

wpDiscuz

Support the Café

Past Posts

The Episcopal Café seeks to be an independent voice, reporting and reflecting on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican tradition. The Café is not a platform of advocacy, but it does aim to tell the story of the church from the perspective of Progressive Christianity. Our collective sympathy, as the Café, lies with the project of widening the circle of inclusion within the church and empowering all the baptized for the role to which they have been called as followers of Christ.

The opinions expressed at the Café are those of individual contributors, and, unless otherwise noted, should not be interpreted as official statements of a parish, diocese or other organization. The art and articles that appear here remain the property of their creators.