ANZAC Day Address 2018

Anzac Day Address 2018

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
How can we understand such love? With words? With images? With reflections in the mind? With actions? If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many volumes of words do the graphic images of a single tour of duty speak? Soldiers rose up to fight. They laid down to rest. They stood at their posts. They defended their trenches. They mustered their courage. They surrendered their vigour. They rose again and again engaging the contest until they laid down in their graves. A snapshot of the casualties from the Great War alone is astonishing. Gallipoli, nearly 500,000 lives. Verdun, 1 million. The Somme, a million plus. And still the tally pressed forward. What can be said in the face of such slaughter? What words would be sufficient to numb the immeasurable pain and grief?
Words must be spoken. They have their time and place. Yet in a situation of profound poignancy, words are ill-equipped for the task. Those who returned from the horrors of war often said little about their experiences. We would be showing no disrespect if this gathering stood in silence for the duration of our purpose: eyes fixed on the cadets to concentrate our reflections on sacrifices made by their predecessors, hearts viewing the placing of wreaths as if adorning the very graves where the fallen lay, minds standing at attention when the trumpet sounds out the notes of the last post. In strategies of war words of communication can be essential. In strategies for reverence silence can be golden.

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month the Great War ended. 100 years since the guns of WWI fell silent in November 1918. Few thought it could ever be exceeded. It was labelled as the war to end all wars. The hope was short-lived. Twenty-one years later the machinery of war roared back to life, and in its path, another trail of death. The destruction was staggering. Today we honour the fallen; of every conflict and every war. We enjoy privileges secured by the sacrifices of those who paid the highest price. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

It’s not our concern at this hour to pass judgment or lay blame on those decisions that may lead to war or make for peace. Arrogance, envy, ignorance, and apathy all play their part. Ours is a fallen world. Sacrifice, integrity, wisdom and mercy must predominate for peace to prevail. But it is our solemn duty not to forget. Clear memory must inspire resolute vigilance. Apathy never lays foundations that are worth building on, it never secures treasures that are worth keeping. Freedom and peace are not entitlements. They can just as easily be lost through indifference as through arrogance or ignorance.

There is a greater peace than can be achieved by the cessation of all human wars. Christ has achieved it and only He is worthy to speak into our silence. He speaks into our reflections. He speaks into our solemn observances. He speaks not out of ignorance or arrogance. He speaks because He understands the battle. He fought the cosmic war. He made the sacrifice. He carries the grief. He speaks like no other can. His words are life and hope. They are not hollow sentiments; they are empowered through death and resurrection. When the Son of Man comes in His glory no words of explanation will be required. Just as none were required when He hung listless from a cross. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.”
May the merciful God, for sake of His Son give us the determination to pursue peace, the courage to value life, the means to protect the vulnerable, and the sense of reverence necessary to properly honour the fallen.

Prayer
Merciful Lord God, giver and restorer of life, at this hour of solemn observance we recognise the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price. We commend to you our reflections made with the help of words and those silent meditations that rest deep within caring hearts. Bless those families and individuals affected by the legacy of conflict and war. Embrace them in Your love. Guide the leaders of our nation. Equip them with wisdom and arm them with integrity. Favour us with your divine love for the sake of Him who gave His life in sacrifice for all. Amen.