(This was the reflection presented by the Rev Val Chongva on Nov 9, 2014, Remembrance Sunday)

            There are two times in the year when I have a really hard time writing a reflection for the Sunday morning service, and Remembrance Sunday is one of them.  How do we acknowledge those who made sacrifices without glorifying war and unrest?  How do we acknowledge the lives lost, the horrendous memories that scar those who have seen and experienced that which no human being should have to see or experience?  It seems that no matter how far back in time we go, human beings have always been in conflict with one another.  And it continues to this day as our country sends troops abroad.        Sometimes, as I look at the paper and listen to the media reports, I feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem.  Country against country, group against group, religion against religion, individuals against individuals.  And I wonder: What can we do in our little corner of the world?  What can we do that will make a difference?

            As I thought about that question, I came up with a few areas that we can reflect upon and determine what our role is in promoting peace. 

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. 

            We can begin by looking at ourselves.  Are we at peace with ourselves?  Now, I know that as we get older, there are a number of factors that can make life difficult – whether that is the first time we notice a gray hair – all the way to physical and mental limitations.  We know that there are some things that we can’t change – our age being one of them – and some of the physical changes come with aging.  In addition to that, situations are bound to arise which we would rather not experience – illness and disability to name a couple.  How are we dealing with life on a daily basis?  Because, you see, life happens – the good, the bad, the neutral.  What is important is how we deal with it.  Are we at peace with ourselves, regardless of what life has thrown at us?

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

            We can begin by looking at our relationships – those who are closest to us and around us – our families.  Are we at peace with them – in the way we treat each other – in what we say to each other – in what we say about each other?  What about our relationship with children – be they our children, grandchildren – greatgrandchildren – nieces, nephews – the children of our friends and acquaintances – yes, even with children who are strangers.  What kind of messages do they hear from us?  As we know, children (of all ages) pick up all kinds of signals and ‘truths’ by listening to others, by listening to the wise adults that surround them, by listening to “authority figures”, be it teachers, nurses, doctors, parents, ministers, police officers, the list is a long one when you’re a kid – just about everyone in your life is an ‘authority figure.” 

            What kind of messages are they hearing? – for they do hear more than we think.  We have this tendency to forget that children’s hearing is much sharper than adult hearing.  What kinds of messages are they hearing about the people in their lives – about other family members, about the neighbours, about those who are “different” from them, be it in race, religion, sexual orientation, language spoken?  And what are they hearing about themselves?  What messages do they receive about their abilities, their intelligence, their value as an individual?  What messages do children receive when they are yelled at, put down, hit, abused?  Our words and actions speak very loudly to the children, leaving them with well ingrained messages, messages they carry for life.

            What kinds of games, movies and television programs are children and young adults involved in?  I am far from being fully informed on the various games, and the devices on which they are played, but I do know that many involve “killing off” ‘getting rid of’ ‘eliminating’ the supposedly bad guys who block our way, so we can work our way forward and win the game.  What lessons are learned from such games? 

            I don’t go to many movies, but the ones that I have seen – which were supposedly geared to children – reinforce the stereotypes – the enemy is ugly and dressed in black – the good guy wins by destroying the enemy.  There wasn’t much of a story – it was all about battles and winning and special effects.   And then there are television programs. “Reality” shows which are far from the reality of day to day living; programs that include conversations full of put downs, being called names and made fun of  – and they all sound as if this is an acceptable way to talk to each other.  How do these types of conversations contribute to peaceful relationships?

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

            And then there is the whole area of domestic violence – be it against one’s date, one’s spousal, one’s partner.  We have seen many examples of this in the media lately – sports figures, broadcasters.  And how much is going on that we never hear about – dates, partners, spouses that are abused and battered – not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally.  How much abuse/violence is withstood because the individuals don’t want to report these incidents because they fear how they will be treated, and what will be said about them, by the authorities, by the public, by their ‘friends’?  And this applies to men as well as women.  In our macho male society, how does a man admit that he is abused by his spouse/partner?  Just this past week, on November 4, an article appeared in the Times and Transcript entitled “RCMP urges reporting of family violence.”

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

            Another place we can begin is within our local community – in the various groups of which we are a part, whether that be the local lions club, the bridge club or groups where we volunteer our services.  There is no doubt that members of any and every organization will have disagreements.  And disagreements are important – they are healthy, enabling the organization to develop and to evolve. 

            But we all know that not all disagreements are discussed and resolved in the board rooms, or the meeting rooms or one-on-one as they arise.      Many times fuel is added to the fire in the so-called “parking lot” discussions, as we spew forth our venom to any and everyone who will listen.  How does that help build a stronger organization?   How does that build peace?

            And what image is portrayed to those who are outside the group?  If it’s a negative image, if all we share, if all we have to talk about are the disagreements, the negativity, the small group fractions, then why, pray tell, would anyone want to become part of that group?  And that applies whether it pertains to the local bowling team – or a church congregation.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

            Another place to begin is with what we believe.  For the last while we have been rethinking the story, looking at what we believe.  There is a reason we have been repeating the material on each of the Saving Jesus Sunday mornings – because what we believe does matter.  To quote one section:
                        Some beliefs are divisive, separating
                        saved from unsaved, friends from enemies.
                        Other beliefs are bonds in a world community,
                        where sincere differences beautify the pattern.

What effect do beliefs have on actions?  We don’t have to look far to see the answer to that – we see the results of people’s beliefs all around us – the RCMP killings, the killing of soldiers, suicide bombers.  And yes, some of those are sparked by religious beliefs – and yes, those are often the extreme, radical beliefs that are outside the norm of a religions’ belief system, whatever the religion.  But we too need to take a close look at what it is we are promoting – and the effect that our beliefs have on others.  It is important what we believe.  The lives of others depend upon it.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.      

            These are just a few of the many places where peace can begin with each of us.  I could go on – after all, I haven’t even touched on the areas of workplace sexual harassment, politics (imagine if political parties ever thought of working together for the betterment of society instead of working only for the betterment of their own party), the list goes on.  So can we do anything about the violence that surrounds us?

You bet we can – starting with ourselves and expanding outward.

For what does the Lord require of us:  To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.  Amen.