“In observance of Memorial Day the VRE will not operate on Monday, May 27th,” sound the loudspeakers at the train station. Of course, no one will be going to work anyway, its a public holiday. The 26th, many will gather in churches and celebrate Memorial Day as well, honoring those who have been lost in wars and conflicts throughout the world fighting for their country.
I don’t have a problem with that.
I have a problem with the church stopping there.
If we as churches take the gospel seriously, we can do far more than have a few moments of remembrance for those who have died for their country. We as the church can proclaim the gospel on this Sunday, which means that we need to earnestly pray for and proclaim the Prince of Peace who will end all war and conflict in his kingdom.
The promise of the world is more war and more conflict: a world where there will always be Memorial Days. The promise of the kingdom is exactly the opposite: there will be no more Memorial Days, only the rule of the Prince of Peace.
As so many of us go camping, go to church or fire up the grill this Memorial Day, we as Christians sell ourselves short if we just go through the motions and pay our respects. We need to give the good news of the Prince of Peace to all, that one day there will be no more war, no conflict, no violence or suffering, for the kingdom of God will be unleashed upon the world by the one and only Prince of Peace!