Do We Remember?

‘Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.’ - Robert F. Kennedy

As the Middle East, as well as many other places on this globe, reverberates with the sounds of gunfire and of bombs detonating, we take November the 11th each year to remember. We gather - the young, the old, the school children and those not working - while a minute of silence may be observed in the workplace for those not able to attend. But what are we remembering? There will be talk of the sacrifice made by many men & women, not just in World War 1 but in the many wars and conflicts since that time: all those who gave their lives in service to their country, whatever country that might be.

But do we remember the 'whys'? The reasons that these conflicts occurred? The political, territorial, and economic conflicts between peoples and nations? While the specifics have been different in each conflict since "the war to end all wars", these three have been at the root of each one. We have been trying to achieve 'peace through victory' and it hasn't worked yet! But achieving a lasting peace has become more and more important as the weapons of war have gotten more deadly, until we now have the capacity to end all human life on this globe.

Perhaps it is time this year, to really remember. To remember not only those who fought and lost their lives, but also why they were fighting in the first place, what led to this loss of human life and potential. Perhaps it is time to try what John Dominic Crossan in his book God & Empire calls,'Peace through Justice'. Perhaps only when the peoples of this world truly try to live by what is known as the 'Golden Rule': to treat others as they themselves would like to be treated, will we really show that we have remembered those who died in the wars and have taken their lesson into our hearts.’

And do we remember, and not only remembering, do we do anything about the millions of people whose lives have been turned upside down by this latest violence? Do we remember those who have been killed either by enemy or ‘friendly fire’ or have lost their lives trying to escape from the war zone? War is no longer fought on the battle field between opposing armies. Rather it is fought in the streets of the cities, towns and villages where the houses are filled with people who just want to see their families grow up, to go to work, to live, to love and to worship.’

This poem was in part inspired by the first pictures of the earth taken from space. In the simplest possible terms ‘Making or Breaking’ sets out the choice before each of us.

MAKING OR BREAKING

We inherit the world,

the whole of history,

our place on earth,

our place in time,

our fortune, good or bad,

pure chance.

Now,

in one picture,

we see our entire planet:

one world,

one race,

one future,

bound together

for the first time.

Ours

for the breaking

or making.

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