As I’m sure you know, Remembrance Sunday this year is extra significant because of it being the centenary of the end of the First World War.
Mercifully the guns fell silent at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month 1918. After millions of fatalities and terrible suffering,at last, there was silence from the roar of canons and ammunition.
Silence
And silence is how we will try to remember all those who gave their lives in the service of their country.
Silence is fitting because no words are adequate to describe the devastation that that war and all conflicts wreck on innocent lives.
Remembering is not only respectful but it is vital – that we, who live in relative peace, try to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice under horrific circumstances: … We WILL remember them.
Jesus said: “Greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for his friends.” Understanding what it must have been like is almost impossible but nonetheless we must think and pray and remember as best we can.
Remembering is a vital part of Church life because each week at Holy Communion we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. His broken body sacrificed for the sins of the world. We also picture Him opening wide his arms of love upon the cross to embrace the whole family of humanity with compassion and kindness and forgiveness.
We will remember them.
Peter Chantry
