ummm... god bless the peacemakers?

It's strange that my first preaching assignment for 2010 would fall on ANZAC Day.

ANZAC Day (ANZAC = Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) is held every April 25 to mark the landing at Gallipoli in WWI; first major military action for Australian and New Zealand forces. It has become a day to commemorate all those who have fought in various military campaigns. April 25 is a day devoted to the secular and sacred; Christian hymns and the national anthem; politicians' speeches and military uniforms; the call of the bugle and the silent response; prayers, beers, football and two-up at the pub.

So why did it feel strange to see an Australian flag, a Cross draped in army-green fabric and a display of military paraphernalia at the front of the Church yesterday? I'm ok with a day to commemorate those who have served their country. But I can't agree that the sacrifice of a soldier is like the sacrifice of Jesus. (Would the Australian Defence Force claim to be raising up an army of little Aussie Jesus-es?! I don't think so!) Also, I don't believe that ANZAC Day is primarily a faith event.

Jesus lived as a person of peace, not as a Commander of War. He rebuked his disciples for resorting to violence (even when their cause seemed 'just') saying, 'Those who use the sword will be killed by the sword'. His radical Sermon on the Mount pronounced blessings for the gentle, the lowly, the merciful, those who work for peace and for those who mourn. It concludes with the commandment to love our enemies and pray for them. Alan Matheson, writing about ANZAC day 2008, said that a faith even is about confession of the creation "four million Iraqi refugees and an untold number of soldiers disturbed and disabled. It's about the condemnation of evil whether that of the suicide bomb or the cluster bomb; it's about a rededication to peace, and not to out of control budgets for maiming and killing."

I guess that's why I found it hard to preach with an army-green cross behind me.