Onward Christian Peacemakers
Remembrance Sunday 2008
Twenty-sixth after Pentecost – Year A

Let us pray: O God, in these November days, our hearts are heavy with remembered acts of bravery and sacrifice. Our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that war still happens, that its horrors and hell are still the way we have chosen to deal with conflict among peoples and nations. Help us to hear your word, and help us to speak your word, that we might tell of a new way, a way of peace. Guide these words likewise. Amen.

Two events in particular have shaped the approach I took in preparing for this week's reflection. The first event was a trip to the cinema last Sunday evening to see the movie Passchendaele. In case I had let my feelings slide with regard to the futility and horror of war, the film quickly reinforced my sentiments. Passchendaele, the battle, has often been cited as the occasion when Canada achieved nationhood. The courageous and deadly work of several Canadian divisions in fighting and winning the battle for the Belgian village of Passchendaele has become legendary as the coming of age for a young nation. It's a description that could make our patriotic chests swell with pride, until you see statistics of the cost that maturing in this way brought to the country of Canada. Thousands of young lives taken, for what turned out to be fleeting occupation of about five miles of territory. What took months to gain in battle with an enormous loss of life, was lost again in three days when the Allied strategy was changed to focus on a different front. To quote the latest Wikipedia article about the battle of Passchendaele:

 The question I am drawn to ask is how anyone can watch the depiction of the battle in the movie, read about it, feel the pressures that were in place with regard to volunteering to serve, and consider all the violent and inhumane actions that took place on both sides of the battle lines and still think that war is an answer. The sad answer is that it was little more than twenty years later when the same peoples were once again drawn into believing that war was the way to settle differences, and the looming threat of world domination by one leader in particular.

There was a time in my life when I felt that we had achieved something in the long and difficult path toward peace as an option. I was born in the 50's, just after the Korean war. All during my growing up years and well into my adulthood I would dutifully and interestedly attend local Remembrance Day services or watch the ceremony at the national cenotaph in Ottawa, remembering the sacrifices of women and men who had served in the two world wars and in Korea. I could do so with a certain amount of satisfaction that those horrors were all over, that our remembering served two purposes – to honour those who had made the ultimate sacrifice and to honour the “never agains” that were so often expressed at the same time.

As if to reinforce the hope, I will never forget an interview that I heard Peter Gzowski conduct with two Canadian peacekeepers in the mid-80's. The effect of that interview is so strong that I can recall exactly where I was as I listened to it, much as other important events in history can be remembered clearly and distinctly. Peter Gzowski asked these peacekeeping commanders what is required to be a good peace keeper. My chest swelled with pride as I heard them describe the art of negotiation, and explain that firearms were rarely present or visible when they put themselves in the way of rival parties. If Canada had to have an armed force, this is the way I wanted them to be. If Canada was to achieve a reputation as a country of brave people, this is how I wanted them to show their courage. I would even consider putting myself in harm's way to keep the peace like this. This is the kind of principle I could defend even to the point of putting my life in danger to do it. Of course, much of this approach came as a direct result of the work and vision of Lester B. Pearson, Nobel Peace Prize winner , who first proposed peace keeping to the United Nations. Is the vision and achievement of Pearson honoured enough in Canada? I would suggest no.

My hope came crashing down during the term of the first President Bush – George Bush Sr, when war was declared in the Persian Gulf and Canada joined the fight as a NATO members. It was also my first year in ministry and I will not forget the invitation to speak at a public Remembrance Day service attended by members of the Armed Forces from the Cold Lake Air Force Base. War was no longer a distant memory, it had happened that year, with recent war veterans attending that very ceremony.

Well, we know what happened during the term of the second President Bush. Two wars raging, one of them entered under completely false premises, using faulty if not fabricated information. Fortunately, Canada is not part of that one, but as we have been so sadly reminded every few days or weeks, by the death toll in the other war in Afghanistan, in which Canada is involved is a continued reminder that peacemaking seems to have taken a step backwards.

That leads me to the second event that helped to shape this week's reflection. Most of us I'm sure, if we weren't glued to the television or radio on Tuesday evening, were at least curious to hear what would happen in that elephant of a country which we share in our North American continental home.

I first heard of Barack Obama in this worship space. I was sitting right over there on one of my much appreciated fifth Sundays off. Kathy Burns was one of three reflectors that morning, and I remember her mentioning some guy with an African sounding name. Strangely enough, several other people have told me that they first heard of Barack Obama in this place as well, when I spoke about him and offered his name as a possible winner of the US Presidential election on January 21, 2008.

Well, I doubt there is anyone who hasn't heard of him now!

We've all heard commentary on the tremendous hope that came to many people with his election. We've all heard of the historic nature of his victory. I don't know what I could add except to say that I share the hope and promise. One of the most amazing insights I've heard since Tuesday is that immediately, in the space of one day, the regard in which the USA is held world wide has increased substantially. That's a lot of pressure placed on one person.

I do want to say that I thought Obama's speech at Grant Park in Chicago was brilliant and visionary. Already some of the change that was promised in his campaign has come simply by having him there and speaking. As we often know, the first step towards change is attitude, and I'm sure we all have sensed the change in attitude that will be present in the Oval Office come January 20.

Despite the hope and optimism, there is also much concern for how daunting the situation is for Barack Obama, and that is clearly true. “The worst economic crisis ever” is the way that particular challenge has been described. And two wars. Oh that some of the hope we all have with the outcome of the American election might be reflected in a different attitude towards war. Could it be that the dawn of a new age could also mean the dawn of an era where peacemaking and peace keeping are once again brought to the fore?

Another new leader in another time – Joshua, challenged his people to put God first. Jesus throught story reminded his followers to be ready. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians with a word of hope for their fears – telling them that they could hope for life beyond death.

One of the most important things Obama said in his speech on Tuesday evening was that the victory was not his victory but a victory shared by everyone. I heard him offering both the hope and the promise that working together to achieve the change that is so much desired is the way it is going to happen. Oh God, give us hope and courage to be a part of the journey. Amen.