Photo - CanvaIn many parts of the world, today is celebrated as Remembrance Day. It is to commemorate the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War. Hostilities ended at 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It was a welcome relief for all those suffering 4 years of war. Yet the lessons learnt during that time of death and destruction were soon forgotten as in 1939, the Second War broke out. Peace was eventually made in 1945 but we know that many wars are going on in the world today.
The symbol of Remembrance is the red poppy. It is a great sign of hope because every year in Flanders in France the poppies come up covering the land that was once a battlefield. The poppy seeds resisted the war going on around them and flower again to show that life rises out of bloodshed. That is the lesson of Jesus. He gave his life to the last drop of blood and his death was followed by his rising to a new life. In today's gospel, Jesus tells us that obstacles are sure to come but we know that they will not be overcome by the force of arms but only through a dialogue that leads to repentance and forgiveness.
Perhaps the best remembered and most poignant song of the Second World War was sung by Vera Lynn. ''There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover tomorrow just you wait and see. There'll be love and laughter and peace ever after tomorrow when the world is free.'' So many soldiers and civilians sang that song with tears in their eyes and finally peace did come in 1945. Let our prayers of hope bring about that love and laughter that only true peace will bring.
Fr Don Hornsey lives and works in Aotearoa/New Zealand
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