In Memory of...

In the Eucharistic Prayers found in the Prayer Book we are reminded that when Jesus had given thanks to God for the bread, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Later in the prayer, the celebrant says “We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.” The sacrifice given by our Lord Jesus Christ was needful because of sin and the fallen nature of humanity. In remembering this sacrifice, the hearts and minds of the redeemed are so filled with gratitude that offering thanks to God is the only natural response. In the scriptures we are reminded often to live with an attitude of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving for all that God has done for us, yes, but not only this. God puts people in our lives whom he uses to teach us: parents, other relatives, friends, teachers and other leaders. We should give thanks for those people as well. In remembering those who gave of themselves for us, our hearts learn to appreciate the sacrifices made so selflessly.

As I write this article I am reminded of the two men that I knew as fathers: my birth father and my step-father who raised me. My mother and step-father were married when I was about four years old. My birth father did not re-appear in my life until I was well into my thirties. I feel blessed to have been raised by the fine, loving and honorable man that God provided as a step-father. Although these two men were not equal in my eyes, it is interesting to me that they should both die on the same date, thirteen years apart(5/21/02 and 5/21/15). I believe that, at times, God helps us notice things by whatever means are necessary. Perhaps, God was telling me in that coincidence that my judgment of my birth father was not a fully informed judgement. Perhaps, God had a purpose for both men in the lives of my siblings and myself. Both men were military men who had served our country for twenty years on active duty. They understood the sacrifice made by those who serve our country, and unfortunately, knew some who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for our country. They knew, too, that in many cases the ravages of war could have been avoided had leaders made different choices. Although we should be rightly appalled by leaders who have chosen the profitability of making war over diplomacy, we should be grateful to those who, despite the dysfunction of the world’s systems, chose to put themselves in harm’s way for us. As we remember all those who have sacrificed for us, I offer the words of a song written in tribute to them.

Peace--

John

The Mansions of the Lord

To fallen soldiers let us sing, where no rockets fly nor bullets wing;

Our broken brothers let us bring to the mansions of the Lord.

No more bleeding, no more fight, no prayers pleading through the night;

Just divine embrace, eternal light in the mansions of the Lord.

Where no mothers cry and no children weep,

We will stand and guard though the angels sleep;

All through the ages safely keep, the mansions of the Lord.

Words by Randall Wallace, © 2002 Songs of Wheelhouse

This song was featured in the Paramount Motion Picture We Were Soldiers.