Thoughts on Remembrance Sunday evening

Although we can run away from situations and places and slip them to the back of our minds, no matter how hard, fast or far we run we can never quite get away from ourselves. Sometimes we do or say things without really thinking why and we hurt others or ourselves. Then one day, weeks, months or years later, our thoughtless or casual words catch up with us.

The gospel-writer Luke uses a telling phrase that describes the turning point in the life of the wasteful boy in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15): “And he came to himself.” In other words, he had to be reconciled to himself, to accept his own flaws and admit his mistakes before his life was turned around. 

Today is about remembering the millions of men, women and children who have died in human conflict. Some were soldiers, sailors or airmen; others were civilians. We also remember the victims of terrorist attacks and those who daily place themselves in danger, so that we might live in safety. It's right that we should, even as we ask searching questions about why so many died and still suffer.

On the cross next to Christ’s hung a thief. Close to death, he came to himself -  to his senses - and recognised in Jesus what some find so hard to see: that he was uniquely different. All that he asks of Jesus is to be remembered. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Christ’s reply was simple and clear: “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus came to give us that which we could not buy, earn or merit by our own hand: forgiveness, a new start and the invitation to share with Him in offering to others that same reconciliation with God.

Today we acknowledge death and pain but we then look beyond to the God who, sacrificially, entered into death and pain for us.

That is a true remembrance, today and every day.