Called to be Peacemakers
Today’s readings point clearly to the hope to which we are called: hope beyond the limits that constrain us, hope beyond the destruction and cruelty which is so prevalent in our world, and hope beyond even death to the promise of eternal life, a life that begins here and now through the lives of peacekeepers and peacemakers.
The mandate of the Canadian Armed Forces is to protect our country, its values and its interests, while supporting international peace and security. Our military has served in many capacities at home and around the world as it carries out Canada’s proud tradition of standing up for what we believe is right. In total, more than 1.7 million Canadians fought in WW1, WW2 and the Korean War during the first half of the twentieth century. As we know and remember this week, the toll taken globally by these massive conflicts was horrific, with tens of millions of people losing their lives including over 118,00 Canadian service members.
In the aftermath of such suffering, our country and many others in the international community felt that it was far better going forward to prevent future wars whenever possible. This perspective gave rise to the modern concept of peace keeping. Canada would play a leading role in peace keeping from the beginning, a concept based on the idea that having a force of impartial troops present in conflict situations can help reduce tensions and improve the chances of a peaceful outcome. Over the years, many service members have deployed overseas to take part in various UN, NATO and other multinational peace support organizations.
On November 11th, we remember those who gave their lives to uphold the values for which our country stands. We also acknowledge the example and contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces as Peacekeepers and ask ourselves how we might honor and indeed emulate the example they set for us.
How we live our lives matters and 1st Peter which we have just heard reminds us that we are to live as a people who have been redeemed. In a world that is beset by trials and tribulations, we are reminded that Jesus has already conquered it all and we can therefore live with joyful hearts, even in times of difficulty and loss. We can be peacemakers, people who embody hope.
We are not all called to be a peacemaking presence in countries where there is conflict, but we all know conflict in our own lives and relationships, even in our church and our own parish here at St. Matthias, because we are both blessed and flawed, and so we are constantly working these things out. We who are not perfect are dealing with other imperfect human beings, even in our families and closest friendships. We don’t all see things the same way or necessarily share the same values. And so, we are called to respect differences, to give to God our irritations, our frustrations, and perhaps sometimes, our need to be right. We are called often to compromise, to forgive, to adapt, and yes, at times, be willing to listen to another point of view. It’s never easy but it’s always the Spirit of God calling us to grow, calling us to be the hope to which we are called.
My dad served in the RAF during World War Two, but he rarely spoke of the experience. When pressed, he would say “war isn’t something to glorify but something to learn from so that we will live differently”. Remembrance Day is about re-membering the past in order to live in the present, and so is our faith. Our Christian re-membering helps us build on the foundations of our historic faith so that we can live lives today in which we know and prove the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to inform and direct our actions. To live our lives as peace makers.
And so, on this Remembrance Sunday, we recall all who died in the service of peace. We give thanks for them: for their courage and dedication, and for their legacy. And likewise, in this celebration of the Eucharist, we recall that the life, the peace and the freedom that Jesus offers each of us, was also won at a price: that of his own life as he died for our sake on the cross.
I want to finish today with the litany from the Community of the Cross of Nails which has three residing principles: healing the wounds of history, learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity, and building a culture of peace. Members of the Community of the Cross of Nails, including our own Cathedral in Victoria, regularly pray the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation which is prayed in Coventry Cathedral every weekday at noon:
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Creator, forgive.
Covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Creator, forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Creator, forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Creator, forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Creator, forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,
Creator, forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Creator, forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Amen