“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24)
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is a day on the civil calendar for remembering and honoring those who have given their lives in battle. The day is also known as Decoration Day for the custom of placing flags at the graves of the patriotic dead. Without legitimating war, there is resonance with the gospel reading: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
On this Memorial Day, we would like to remember those who lost their lives to war along with the many who are no longer with us that served and loved others well. Below is a prayer of remembrance that can be used as a time of reflection.
A Prayer of Remembrance:
God of ages past and hope to come,
we offer our gratitude for those who have gone before,
we offer our hope for those yet to come.
As we honor the past, help us dream of a future of love and peace.
Comfort us in our sorrow.
Strengthen us for the journey.
Guide us on the path of justice.
We remember with sadness those we have loved and lost.
Let us not glorify the conflicts and violence that tear our loved ones from us.
Let us, rather, give glory to God, who calls us to use our freedom peaceably.
O God, who is a God of all nations and peoples, help us to remember:
Help us to remember the sacrifices bravely made in which one has given life for another and for all…
Help us to remember those that stand in the breach where there is trouble and in which conflict threatens to undo your good creation…
Help us to remember that we look for the day when every sword will be replaced by a plow, that all may be fed and live in your peace…
And in our remembrance, help us live as your people, that others may see and remember your wisdom and truth living in us.
Forgive us every sin that makes for division and for war, and bring us all into your kingdom on earth as in heaven.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.