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Pastoral Points
That the greatest commandment is love, Jesus says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15).
Jesus told his followers there is no greater love than that which gives itself for another. With Memorial Day fast approaching, we have an opportunity to remember and honor people who gave of themselves for the sake of many. Countless men and women have fought to protect the freedom we enjoy, and to win the same freedom for others.
They offered up their dedicated service knowing the cost would be great. We must never forget that freedom is not free, and sometimes its cost is far greater than we would ever wish it to be. Some veterans have paid for our freedom with lives changed forever. They deal with the lasting effects of their service for years and years to come. Others have paid with their very lives, and their families and friends continue to grieve.
At Memorial Day, we give thanks for their bravery — the selfless love that led them to lay down their lives for others. Let us honor their memory by caring for their families and comrades, and by guarding the freedoms they fought to protect.
A prayer as we remember: Almighty and merciful God, we give you thanks for all the men and women who have served in the armed forces of this nation, especially those who have given their lives to protect this country and to secure the freedom we enjoy. We thank you for their great sacrifice and ask that you console all their loved ones. Remind them of your resurrection promise and help them to find hope in you.
We also ask, gracious God, that you give all leaders a hunger for peace. We pray for a time when nation will not lift up sword against nation. We pray for an end to hostilities and resentment. And we ask that you give us all an understanding of those things which make for peace.
All these things we pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
