Better and Blessed Way Forward - Sermon for Remembrance Day Sunday (November 9, 2025)

Scripture Readings: Micah 4:1-5 | Psalm 46 | Romans 12:9-21 | Matthew 5:1-16

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18).
 
This Tuesday, November 11, Canadians all across our country will take time to gather together to commemorate Remembrance Day… a day set aside to honour and give thanks for those who have served in the armed forces… and especially honouring the memory of those who served in the devastating World Wars of the last Century.
 
And today, as we gather here in St. Luke’s Church, with the stories and sacrifices of our veterans in mind… we do so, not to glorify war, but to give sincere thanks for those who placed their own lives in great danger to defend others… facing incredible hardships and fears, for the sake of a better future for us all. And we also gather to pray that the day will soon come when all wars will cease, and our whole world will come to know the ways of peace.
 
We remember these brave men and women, and their service and sacrifice out of gratitude, but also for another important reason: in order to inspire us to find a better way forward… together. To find a way in our days to avoid the horrors of war, and to instead strive for a lasting… and just… and life-giving peace.
 
We take time to remember because it is all too easy for us to forget… to forget the incredible costs that others have paid to secure our freedom. To forget that, despite the growing messages of hate and prejudice, and contempt that seem to be spreading… we humans do not need to turn against each other… or embrace violence to resolve our conflicts… and that even those who oppose us still remain our fellow human beings, worthy of our respect… and that, even when we must actively stand against them… and even if we must at times take up arms against them… we can still see everyone as our brothers and sisters who bear with us God’s own sacred image.
 
The Christian story found in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, invites us again and again to remember… in order to find a better way forward together. It calls us to remember that our Creator, the Living God loves this world, and loves all those who live in it. It calls us to remember that from the moment we humans began to mess things up, God has been at work to mend our war torn world, working with everyday people like us to bring about life… and justice… and peace… not through the sword, but through the power of mercy… through the lives of  everyday people led by His Spirit, and moved by faith and courage and love to put their own lives on the line for the sake of their neighbours, walking together with integrity, and generosity, and hope… and willing to stand up against injustice and evil, even if it means laying down their own lives.
 
And the Scriptures remind us that at the centre of this story is Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ… God’s own Son who came to lay His own life down at the cross… enduring there for us all incredible suffering, and what seemed like nothing more than a complete defeat… giving up His life as the one sacrifice that saves this world that God loves… and then rising again from the dead to share the gift of God’s forgiveness, freedom, and new life for all who trust in Him.
 
In our Gospel Reading today, we heard Jesus’ own words, telling us about a better way forward… not through violence, or oppression, or seeking our own glory, or revenge… but through doing good… and staying true… and pursuing peace every day… and in all that we do. Reminding us that faithfulness, and courage, and love are the way to bring about a better and blessed future for our world.
 
Listen again to His words, and imagine the impact that living in the light of this hope can have:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3-12).
 
Notice that Jesus says again and again: “For they will…” calling us to remember that there is a future beyond our present pain and the challenging circumstances before us… and to trust that staying faithful to God’s good ways will be worth it! That it is worthwhile to fight against our selfishness, and hate, and the prejudices that threaten to tear us and our communities apart. And even if we can’t see all those blessings right here and now, to trust that this really is the best way forward… for us all.
 
Christians like me are called to remember and to give thanks for Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, and for our world. When we forget this, we can easily get caught up in all the sad divisions, and hateful wars tearing our world apart. But when we do remember Jesus, and all He’s done… we see at work in Him the courage and faithfulness and love that it takes to strive for a better way forward together with all of our neighbours… and we are invited and inspired to join in the work of God to bring healing, and peace where it’s needed most.
 
And for those of us who are not followers of Jesus, but who are also longing for a better way forward… we can all remember that there are real alternatives to all the hatred, and prejudice, and self-centredness around us today… and we can all commit to striving for a better way forward, not just for us, but for us everyone. We can all believe that we don’t need to be held captive to hatred, and fear, and our sad divisions. And we can all find the courage to stand up for what is right, and even take risks to bring it about.
 
So today, as we remember all those who inspire us to do our part for the sake of a better world, may we remember that the way to win this blessed victory is through courage and faithfulness and love… not just when it is easy, but when it matters most… which is every day. Amen.