It’s that day again. That day when we recall, with pomp, with pride, the loss of so many lives over so many wars, and repeat “lest we forget” – but we do. Remembrance Sunday is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life; but then to move onto Monday. We have wars in Israel/Palestine, in Ukraine/Russia, in Africa, and yet we stand strong alongside one nation or another – where is “Lest we forget?” Forget what? : the travesty, the carnage, the sheer bloody brutality of war (count the poppies above) – but yet accept that revenge is a right? The politics of today must seemingly trump the memories of yesteryear.
When shall we really remember that WW1 was the war to end all wars, the subsequent wars were ones that echoed that sentiment? When does the echo of that sentiment fade
behind the explosions of mortar fire, the detonations of missiles?
A Wedding?
There is a story of 10 bridesmaids going to a wedding in Matthew 25: 1-13. They are split into two groups, purely in terms of preparation. Five of them have oil for their lamps, five of them are deemed foolish for having insufficient oil: their lamps can’t be lit. We can easily seek to be alongside those with their lamps a-glowing, the warmth breaking the cold we might feel. But why were the other five seemingly so foolish?
Perhaps they had had such a hard day that they had no time for such administrative tasks. Their role was to possibly look after a group of people and so their priority was focussed upon their community. What was important in their life? : giving of their time for those around us, or remaining comfortable, in the warmth, awaiting that moment to stir into action?
The five without oil are told, by those with oil, to nip off to the local shops to get some, but upon arriving back they are denied entry to the party. The other five have nae problem gaining access, and are dancing the night away already.
But the five cast out of the party are now able to offer light to those who remain in the darkness outside of the party. Their calling may be to sit with the marginalised, to listen to those who no one wants to be with.
Alternative Perspectives
We might also see it with a perspective of Remembrance Sunday. For those seeking revenge and retribution, on this Remembrance Sunday, we might see that those with the oil are ones prepared for action. Are they the armed forces ready for military action, with bespoken armament? And those without oil those who have been seeking peace and reconciliation. You don’t need weapons for that task – merely ears to hear, arms to welcome. They have arrived, tired, weary but willing to support and care for others. They aren’t able to join the celebrations for their task is not there – but with others.
When we mark that day, that hour of Remembrance, think of them. For those who have served in war, and can still see: the carnage, the loss of friends, colleagues and of even the “enemy”, fellow humans, ….in their memory.
When shall we really remember that WW1 was the war to end all wars, the subsequent wars were ones that echoed that sentiment? When does the echo of that sentiment fade
behind the explosions of mortar fire, the detonations of missiles?
I found the dialogue interesting and I enjoyed it