Next week, Australians all over our vast country will pause to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in order to preserve our freedom.

Remembrance Day is observed annually at 11am on November 11 to mark the anniversary of the Armistice which ended fighting in World War I on that date in 1918.

It’s a time when communities come together to remember the freedoms we enjoy today have come at a high price; the blood of our country’s sons and daughters.

It’s also a time to remember there are still wars raging across the world and our troops are currently deployed in far-flung places to promote and maintain peace.

It’s a time to remember each and every day, people are striving to make our world a safer place. They serve us not only in the Defence Forces, but in support roles as well.

It’s not a time to glorify war.

As we pause on Wednesday, let’s give thanks our country has served with distinction in the global conflicts for which it has been asked to render assistance.

It is a sad duty, but at times necessary duty, if we are to live our lives free of the tyranny of petty despots and power-hungry megalomaniacs.

At Remembrance Day services across the country, many Padres will make reference to a verse in John’s Gospel, where Jesus said; “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Sacrificing one’s life for others is the greatest example of real love – love which shows itself in action.

When Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice on a Roman cross to pay the price for sin, He set the standard for sacrificial love. Anyone can talk, but if the talk costs nothing, it is empty. We know people are fair-dinkum if they back up their words with actions.

This Remembrance Day, may I encourage you to at least pause for one minute at 11am and remember those who answered the call and put their lives on the line so we can live as free people.

Despite the imperfections of our country, we have much to be thankful for.

Spare a thought also for those who are currently serving, whether here or overseas.

Give thanks they, and their families, are willing to take enormous personal risks so our future generations may never know the horrors of war.

Even in our community, there are people who are carrying the scars of war with them to this day.

Some have served and have returned traumatised. Some have lost loved ones who served our country.

Remembrance Day makes me long for the day when Jesus returns, as He said He would, and all wars will cease.

Peace will reign under His gracious rule, and humans will not wage war.

The prophet Isaiah was given a vision of the day when the Lord returns. He said; ‘Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.’

That is why Jesus is known as the ‘Prince of Peace’.

He has won the battle over evil by shedding His blood for us.

That one act of sacrifice paved the way for all nations to be brought together in peace and harmony as one, and we are invited to participate in it through faith as a free gift.

When that happens, the Book of Revelation tells us there will be ‘no more crying, grief or pain’.

Amen to that.

Reverend Phil Zamagias, Christ Church Anglican, Echuca

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Thursday, 17th June 2027

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