Remembrance

A number of years ago Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear, presented a documentary, ‘The Victoria Cross: For Valour’. This told the stories of some VC heroes, including his own father-in-law, who he never knew. Moved by these stories, Clarkson went on to ask, ‘How can we call the likes of David Beckham a hero for scoring a goal? I wonder who your heroes are today?’

In this season of remembrance we think especially of those heroes who have sacrificed their lives in war. However, Jesus calls us all to a different kind of heroism when he says, ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.’ (Matt 5:43-45).

God calls us to love even those we think of as enemies. It’s easy to love those we get on with, but the love of which Jesus speaks is ‘agape’ love. This quality of love seeks only the good of the other person. When we can pray for someone we don’t get on with, God begins to answer our prayer by softening our attitude toward them. We love them because they are individuals created in the image of God and in need of God’s forgiveness and grace, just like us.

Here is a prayer written by an anonymous confederate soldier in the American Civil War that speaks of the grace of God that we all need in our daily battles in life.

The Soldier’s Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things,

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for –

But everything that I had hoped for,

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.