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We remember that Memorial Day began when Confederate war widows decorated the far-from-home graves of Union soldiers.
We remember — and pray for those who grieve on all sides of a conflict.
We remember that Memorial Day also began at Charleston’s Washington Race Course when newly freed slaves honored prisoners of war.
We remember — and pray for people everywhere who are seeking freedom or living with the loss of freedom.
We remember that May 30 was chosen for Memorial Day because it was one day that did not commemorate a particular battle.
We remember — and pray for a time when every day is an anniversary of
peace.
We remember ANZAC Day*, when Australians and New Zealanders memorialize not only those in combat, but nurses, stretcher bearers, conscientious objectors, and those who bear home front burdens.
We remember — and pray to be aware of the gifts of many in our common causes.
We remember Christmas Eve truces and paper cranes, amnesties and poppies, folded flags and the desperate need of veterans for gratitude made real in support.
We remember — and pray for a memorial-izing, not confined to a holiday but alive in the spirits of young and old, enlisted and civilian, brand-new
Americans and those with deep hometown-roots, people of every faith, no faith and people willing to leave their politics outside the door in order to embrace everyone.
*ANZAC Day — Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day, April 25
Prayer of Confession
God we confess that we prefer parades to caring for those with PTSD. We confess that we say “thank you for your service” and allow veterans’ benefits to be eroded. We confess that we call “free speech, ” the cartoons that offend our neighbor’s faith, and “second amendment rights,” the assault weapons that endanger our neighbor’s school, home, movie theatre, house of worship. We confess an inner profiling that lets some “lives matter” more than others. We confess that on this holiday we remember quickly, then turn to barbecue and big-box store sales.
Turn our hearts, we pray, to a moment of honor of those who have died to preserve the community and abundance we enjoy, and to a life-long commitment to justice and peace in our own and all communities. Amen.
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