who have died in active service, particularly in the Second World War,
whose sacrifice brought Victory in Europe.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Church of England VE Day Prayer
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NRSVue
Today there will be remembrance and celebration ceremonies in several Canadian centres to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian troops in 1945 along with Victory Europe (VE) Day. We've seen that about two dozen veterans were able to make the trip to the Netherlands despite all of them being roughly a century old. They were greeted in parades by crowds of grateful Dutch citizens who have sustained their appreciation through the decades.
I don't know whether CFB Trenton, just down the road, will have a public event and I haven't seen any coverage in the local news sources, sad to say. As the years have gone by I've developed a deeper appreciation of those who served selflessly in wars of the 20th century. Both Ruth and I are children of vets of WWII, our fathers and her mother. At the same time my aversion to war, the sheer folly of this horrendous violence has grown stronger. As I've suggested before, there couldn't be a more convincing argument for the doctrine of original sin than our human propensity to kill one another, often with great zeal and supposedly with God's approval.
I've noticed that European countries seem to be doing more to acknowledge VE Day than here in Canada even though our armed forces were vital to victory. Approximately 7,600 Canadians soldiers died during the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation alone with more than 44,000 servicement dying throughout the six years of WWII.
The European events include worship services, some of them interfaith. The Church of England (Anglicans) have provided worship resources for parishes and encouraged them to acknowledge the 80th anniversary. These include prayers for peace in our world in the present moment.
Today I'm remembering all the veterans of WWII who took part in November Remembrance Day services in congregations I served until there were virtually none left who could take on roles. I think of our parents who put their aspirations on hold for years in the cause of a greater good.
As Christians we can live within that tension between gratitude for those who served even as we pray for the peace which Christ represents. We can certainly do so today.
O God, who would fold both heaven and earth
in a single peace;
that the design of your great love lighten
upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows
and give peace to your church, peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings and peace in our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Church of England VE Day Prayer
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