mgpcpastor's blog

Some thoughts flowing from attendance at Remembrance Day 2015 in Mount Gambier.
Published in our local paper today.

For me, it’s the simplicity of silence at Remembrance Day that stands out. That point in our gathering where there are no voices or instruments; the only noise being the cars driving along Wehl and Commercial streets.
During that silence the mind’s eye considers: the monument established by a previous generation as their legacy of respect; the thoughtfully placed poppy flowers that surround the monument’s base; the young and old, representing so many backgrounds united in common purpose; and even the beautifully and carefully maintained grounds of Vansittart Park, the grass a carpet of green, the flowerbeds displaying manicured bursts of colour.
All of these are taken in by vision, yet, by contrast, our ears are given a rare respite from daily noise. The experience serves to relax and focus the mind.
I think it is that moment of forced inactivity in silence that best sums up that for which we’re giving thanks. It is the ultimate expression that peace has been won for us by the sacrifice and service of others. The other actions of the day are a response to that sacrifice and service, but they don’t add to it. Standing silent and still says it best for me: this is something that’s been done for us, it is something we have to receive.
That simplicity is also reflected at the heart of Christianity. It may surprise some to find out that Jesus never commended the cross to his followers as an enduring visual symbol for his followers. He told us to ‘take up our cross and follow him’, but that is our response to his call.
The two visual symbols that Jesus gave Christians were the water of baptism and the bread and wine of communion. Two very simple symbols drawn from everyday life; the water that cleanses, and the bread and wine that provide nourishment.
Like the silence of remembrance, the water and the bread and wine testify to that which is done for the Christian. It is God who makes us clean and acceptable to himself; it is God who sustains and strengthens the life of each of his people.
When we receive these elements it is an ongoing expression of the fact that everything we need has been done for us. Peace has been won, all we do is rest in it.
The silence of Remembrance Day marks a resting, but remembrance is not simply recall of past events. True remembrance looks forward and applies the lessons that history has taught and commits itself to vigilance against similar threats that might arise in future.
The sacred actions of Christianity, the water of baptism and the bread and wine of the table, also mark a resting, but our remembrance bids us look forward. We do not anticipate another victory to be won, but the enduring victory of Jesus over death to be fully expressed through all creation.