Pastor's Perspective with Rev Jo White

ANZAC Myth

This week the world marked the start of World War I - the war to end all wars the catch phrase of 1914. Of course it was not the war to end war, there was another war even more horrifying than WWI and then came Korea, Vietnam, The Falklands, Afghanistan and even today armed conflict continues in Gaza and Ukraine and Afghanistan. There have been too many wars.

 

We hope that the United Nations,
formed in the wake of WWII to prevent another such conflict, can and will be able to exercise real power in international affairs. The objectives of the UN include maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development, protecting the environment, and providing humanitarian aid in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

As Christians we do not advocate war. We are people of peace. We are taught by Jesus to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. (Luke 6:27)

Much is being made of the 100^th anniversary of WWI and quite rightly we are remembering this war because there are lessons to learn from the past and there are people and stories worthy of honour and remembrance. Let us be careful that as we honour and remember that we do not glorify war; that we don’t create a myth that stirs up nationalist fervor and convince ourselves that we have the right to impose ourselves on others because we are somehow stronger or better.

The ANZAC legend is one that encompasses values that are wider than that of our own nation, they are human qualities valued by people everywhere; such things as courage, sacrifice and commitment to each other particularly in extreme hardship.

 

Prayer for Peace

God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace,

have mercy on our broken and divided world.

Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all

and banish from them the spirit that makes for war,

that all races and peoples may learn to live

as members of one family and in obedience to your law,

through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen