The Brave Way of Peace - Sermon for Remembrance Day Sunday (November 10, 2024)

Scripture Readings: Micah 4:1-7 | Psalm 46 | Romans 12:15-21 | Matthew 5:38-48

“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18).

What’s the bravest thing you ever had to do?

Life is full of moments that call for bravery… for remaining steadfast and choosing to act with courage, and commitment in the face of danger and fear. 

It might mean standing up for what we believe in… or standing up to people we need to confront. It might mean having to take on new and challenging responsibilities… or simply having to accept some difficult news… for ourselves, or for those we love.

For a lot of people, public speaking requires a lot of bravery… and I’ll admit, when I was a young man, first feeling the call to ministry in the Church, the thought of being a pastor… offering sermons and leading others in worship each week… was a pretty daunting thought, and it took me a long time to feel at home doing this.

Each of us will have our own moments when we will need to be brave. When the way forward will be hard, but will bring us to where we truly belong.

As we know, tomorrow is Remembrance Day, a day set aside to commemorate those who have served their countries in the armed forces… those from our families and communities who have faced the horrors of war for us… many of whom lost their lives, or returned wounded in mind, body, or spirit.

It is important that we take this time to remember them, and what they have done for us… to honour their courage… their steadfast bravery… choosing to face danger and fear, and risk their lives for the sake of others.

We take this time each November to remember in the hopes that such sacrifices would not be required again… not to glorify war and violence, but to seek ways to find true and lasting peace. To strive for a future where war is a distant memory for all. 

Sadly, we know all too well today that many around the world are still faced with the horrors of war… including many civilians who had no choice in the matter. We remember the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, as they defend their homeland from an invasion from Russia. We remember the devastation in Gaza and Lebanon, as the Israeli Defense Forces seek to defeat Hamas and Hezbollah, while thousands of civilians have lost their lives, their homes, and their whole communities have been laid waste as a result.

All across our world, conflicts and tensions keep on growing, leaving many of us afraid of what is to come… uncertain of what lies ahead. 

In times like this, it’s good to step back and remember that there have been troubling times before. And that, those who have gone before us have faced uncertain times, but have found a way forward all the same. We do well to remember the examples of those soldier who faced the horrors of the great wars… we can be inspired by their steadfastness… and dedication to their country’s cause… their courage in the face of uncertainty and danger.

But as inspiring as their examples and stories can be, those of us who are Christians have an even greater source of hope: we are called to remember the Good News of Jesus Christ… to remember the hope found in the story of Scripture… hope we heard in our readings today from the Bible… we are called to remember God’s story, which is still at work in our world today.

We heard the ancient poetic words of hope shared from the Prophet Micah, and the author of Psalm 46: reminding generations of believers that even when all seems lost… when the mountains themselves are thrown into the sea… and everything that seemed stable and secure is shaken, the Living God will not abandon our world… that God Himself will bring wars to cease in all the earth, breaking the bow, and shattering the spear… and bringing back those who are scattered to where we belong: together, and at peace. Freed from all oppression, and injustice, and fear. This vision of God’s majesty and might setting things right, and opening up an entirely different way of life… the way of peace. 

In our Gospel reading today, we heard the words of Jesus Himself, calling those of us who trust in Him to live this way even now… to set aside our own desires for revenge, or divisiveness driven by fear, and instead to follow Him in the way of peace… practicing forgiveness today in a world full of hate. Practicing patience with others today in a world that demands instant results. Practicing goodness today towards all… even those we see as deeply mistaken, and even led by evil intentions. Loving our enemies, even when… especially when… it comes with a cost.  

Jesus Himself knew well the cost of seeking peace… He remained steadfast in the face of injustice and suffering… bravely facing His own death at the cross, in order to bring hostilities to cease between the Living God, and all humanity… and inviting us all to experience the freedom and new life that comes from God’s forgiveness and grace. 

The way of Jesus, the way of peace is not an easy road to follow. Not by a long-shot. It really does require steadfastness… dedication… and courage to live this way today. To arm ourselves, not with weapons of war, but with a commitment to this whole new way of life… being willing to stand up and stand out, like a candle in a dark room, so that those around us can start to see that there really is another way forward for our world. That with God’s help, we can really be another way together. 

In our reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Christians in Rome, we heard him offer a glimpse of what this way looks like in practice: Romans 12:15-18,

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 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.” 

This doesn’t mean that we have to agree with or support what everyone around us or around our world is up to… and there will still be times when we will need to be brave and confront evil through our words and actions. But even so, the way of Jesus does challenge us never to turn our backs on or demonize others… even those we deeply disagree with… to write them off as our enemies, even if they see us that way.

Instead, we are called to overcome evil with good. To live lives of faithfulness, hope, and love, trusting that the Living God will be at work in, around, and through us to bring about His lasting peace. 

Now I know not all of us here today are necessarily Christians… followers of Jesus Christ. But I believe that all of us can see that our world really does need to find another way forward. And that way won’t just happen on its own. It will require people like us to put it into practice. To strive to be steadfast… dedicated… and courageous as we face the future together. Seeking not just our own wellbeing, but the lasting peace of our world.

May the Living God help us all to face our own uncertain days bravely… steadfast and dedicated not just to winning wars, but to forging a way forward for us all… that the world around us may begin to experience a taste of true peace… learning to live together, and to love one another… even when we disagree. 

I’ll close now with the words of a well known prayer:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek
​to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.