War and Peace
11th November 2022
This week at our Communion service we were thinking about Remembrance, with this reading:
Some of the disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”
Luke 21.5-11
Remembrance Day is the day when we remember all those who died in the First and Second World Wars and all the more recent conflicts, not just here but around the world.
This year it will be more poignant because of the war in Ukraine. I saw this week that an estimated 200,000 people have died there since Russia invaded in February – about half who were Ukrainian, and half who were Russian. Because this has been a war which we have followed here in the media, we have seen more of the terrible effects on civilians and those fighting. There are other conflicts around the world which we don’t hear so much about – in Ethiopia, in Yemen, in Afghanistan, in Myanmar and elsewhere.
Conflict is sadly a recurring part of our story – whenever we might think that we are finally giving peace a chance, another war seems to erupt. In our reading Jesus acknowledges this dark side of human behaviour, and says that these things will go on until ‘the end’ – the time when all things will be made new. In his own country he sees the shadow of future destruction looming over the beautiful new temple – looking ahead to the time when the rebellion of the Jewish people will ruthlessly put down by the Romans in 70AD and the temple will be destroyed, never to be built again.
Remembrance Day is our time to face this reality of ongoing conflict. As the world wars get further back in history there have been suggestions that remembering like this might no longer be necessary, but what has happened this year reminds us that facing this in some way will always be important.
That’s why I think it’s good that we have a display this year in the Chapel at FCH remembering the 103 ex students and pupils who died in the Second World War, with information about each of them. It includes sad stories like that of twins James and Robert Young who died together when their ship was sunk on the way to Singapore. Members of staff have crocheted 103 poppies in memory of those who were lost.
It’s heartbreaking to read some of the stories – but I think that is part of the way we are called to respond. We need to have this day to feel just a little of the tragedy of war – to recognise the courage of those who gave their lives, and to consider our own response.
One response can be to become more aware of the gift of peace. This country, like many countries, has lived through a long period of peace, at least at home. Maybe the closeness of the war in Ukraine has made us more thankful that despite all the challenges of life here we have this amazing gift of peace.
Another response may be to make us more determined to become people of peace ourselves. We can do that in our own lives and relationships. But I think we also have the opportunity to contribute to peace around the world. There are many organisations we can support who work with those affected by conflict, and with countries in crisis, to improve governance, and to support them as they try to overcome poverty, which is often the seedbed of conflict.
One likely cause of future conflicts will be the effects of climate change, bringing resource shortages and other problems which will cause tensions between nations. Jesus called us to be peacemakers, but showed himself that this might mean challenging others in a far from gentle way. Acting to combat climate change might be one way that we can work to bring peace to others, as we enjoy the benefits of peace ourselves.
You might like to spend a few moments quietly remembering all who have died in war and conflict, and in the service of humanity and the planet…
God of all people, we acknowledge the tragedy of war. Help us to face the reality of its effects in our own time, and to allow the experiences of those caught up in conflict to touch our hearts, as they touch yours.
Loving God, we thank you for the blessings of peace. May we show our thankfulness in the way that we live. We long for peace wherever there is conflict – and we pray for peace makers in every place.
God of justice, challenge us in our comfortable lives, so that we may join with you in opposing all that creates the conditions for war, and especially the effects of climate change. Help us to work for peace, and for the good of all.