Memorial Day Homilies

Second Reading: Acts 7:51-60 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53 You are the ones who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.  55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

HOMILY

The Memorial Day weekend is past. The ceremonies are over. The flags lowered are now raised once again. Families have returned to their routines—life has resumed its normal pace. Yet one thought from Memorial Day lingers in my mind. It is a poem that I learned in high school—written by a young soldier, John McCrae. During World War I, he beheld the rows and rows of white crosses at a battlefield cemetery in France. And as he contemplated those thousands of crosses, he took up his pen and wrote. “In Flanders Fields”. The poem reminds me of the great sacrifices which those white crosses represent; including the sacrifice of my own Great Uncle Clyde, who was killed in action not far from where McCrae wrote his inspirational poem.The poem reminds me of the great sacrifices which those white crosses represent; including the sacrifice of my own Great Uncle Clyde, who was killed in action not far from where McCrae wrote his inspirational poem. I never met Uncle Clyde. But I have a photo of him, and I learned about him from my Grandma Murray who was his older sister. A hundred plus years have passed since his death, but he is still remembered and honored by our family. Why do acts of sacrifice move us so deeply. Why do we instinctively honor those who willingly give themselves for the sake of others. Could it be that sacrifice reflects one of the highest virtues known to the human race? Could it also be that one of the central themes of our Christian faith is sacrifice? I think so. The freedoms we enjoy today were secured because others were willing to place duty above comfort, service above self, and in some cases life itself upon the altar of a greater cause. Behind every generation of peace, stands someone who was willing to stand in harm’s way. And that truth is not limited to military service. It is woven throughout Scripture. The Kingdom of God advances because faithful men and women are willing to sacrifice in one form or another. Parents sacrifice for children Missionaries sacrifice their comfort for the mission to which Christ calls them. Teachers sacrifice time and energy for their students. Faithful church members quietly give of their resources so the work of Christ may continue. The Christian life itself is a life of sacrifice. Remember, Jesus said to the first Christians. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” And nowhere is that truth seen more clearly than in the life of Stephen who we read about moments ago. Stephen was not an apostle. He was not a famous preacher, like Paul.He was not a famous preacher, like Paul. He was a servant in the church—a man chosen because he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Yet when opposition arose, Stephen refused to compromise his testimony concerning Jesus. The crowd became enraged. Stones began to fly. The first Christian martyr was about to die. Yet Stephen’s attention was not focused upon the stones flying in the air. He fixed his face towards heaven. Luke records these remarkable words: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God”. Did you hear those words clearly? Jesus was not sitting. He was standing. Throughout the New Testament Jesus is usually described as seated at the Father’s right hand because his redemptive work is complete. But here in this case he is standing. Why? Scripture does not tell us explicitly why he is standing. But many Christians throughout the centuries have imagined the scene this way: The faithful servant is coming home, and the Savior rises to welcome him. Because Stephen offers his life in service to Christ, Christ rises to honor Stephen. What a beautiful image! The world condemned him. The crowd rejected him. His executioners silenced his voice. But heaven knew his name. Heaven honored his sacrifice. Jesus stood to receive him. That truth speaks powerfully to every sacrifice worthy of honor. Today we remember Soldiers, Seamen, Airman, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and countless others who answered the call to duty. Many were young. Many had families. Many had dreams yet unfulfilled. Yet they were willing to place the welfare of others above their own safety. We rightly honor such sacrifice. We build monuments. We fly flags. We observe moments of silence. Honor is due where honor is deserved.But Scripture reminds us that earthly honor is not the final honor. There is also the honor bestowed by God Himself. Stephen received no military funeral. No monument was raised in his name. No earthy government commemorated his sacrifice. Yet heaven opened UP, and the Son of God stood UP to receive him. What greater honor could there be? Every generation faces its own call to sacrifice. And there have been men and women throughout history who have answered that call. And now the call comes to us. Not necessarily to die for Christ. But certainly to live for Him—to serve Him faithfully—sacrificially—courageously—and to finish the race which He has set before each of us. The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote the following words: “I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Like Stephen, Paul finished his race. He kept the faith. Now he is honored in heaven along with Stephen and many others. One day each of us will come to the end of our earthly journey. For some of us it may be sooner rather than later. Throughout our lives we have been honored. We have received certificates for work we have accomplished and for service we have rendered. We have been given diplomas. We have received compliments from friends, neighbors and family. We are grateful for all of these honors because they are real. But here is another reality. One day most of those diplomas and certificates will all end up in some good will store. The only value they will have for those shopping will be the frames in which we carefully placed them. The frames will be bought and the contents will be be thrown aside. A few will be kept by caring family members. Many years ago, the missionary, C. T. Studd reflected upon this very truth—that earthly accomplishments fade, while eternal accomplishments remain. He captures that reality in a poem entitled: “Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last” Many years ago, the missionary, C. T. Studd reflected upon this very truth—that earthly accomplishments fade, while eternal accomplishments remain. He captures that reality in a poem entitled: “Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last” “You may build the great cathedrals large or small. You can build the skyscrapers grand and tall. You may conquer all the failures of the past. But only what you do for Christ will last.” That being said, I want to conclude with the really good news which we have already heard; but it is worth repeating. I want to remind us that at Stephen’s departure, he looked up and saw Christ standing. Stephen stood up for Jesus. And Jesus stood up for Stephen. Will we stand up for Jesus? It won’t always be an easy road for us. It will involve sacrifice. The road will sometimes be rough. But we know the reality at the end of the road. Christ is faithful. When we stand up for Jesus, He surely will stand up for us. And to God be glory now and forevermore. Amen. PASTORAL PRAYER Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, We come before You today with grateful hearts. We thank You for the freedoms we enjoy, for the blessings of home and family, for the peace of this place, and for the countless gifts that flow from Your gracious hand. As we gather in worship, we remember those who answered a call greater than themselves—men and women who laid aside comfort, safety, and even life itself in service to others. We thank You for their courage, their devotion, and their sacrifice. Comfort those who still carry the memory of loved ones lost in war, and grant that their service may never be forgotten. Yet, Lord, we remember that every act of human sacrifice points us to the greatest sacrifice of all—the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank You that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Through His cross we have forgiveness. Through His resurrection we have hope. Through His victory we have the promise of eternal life. Teach us, O Lord, to follow His example. Make us willing to lay down our pride, our selfish ambitions, our resentments, and our fears. Give us servant hearts. Help us to bear one another’s burdens, to encourage the weary, to defend the vulnerable, and to live not merely for ourselves but for Your glory and the good of others.Teach us, O Lord, to follow His example. Make us willing to lay down our pride, our selfish ambitions, our resentments, and our fears. Give us servant hearts. Help us to bear one another’s burdens, to encourage the weary, to defend the vulnerable, and to live not merely for ourselves but for Your glory and the good of others. We pray for those who serve our nation today—in the armed forces, in law enforcement, in emergency services, and in every place where duty requires sacrifice. Protect them, strengthen them, and bring them safely home. We pray for Your Church throughout the world. Fill us anew with faith, courage, and compassion. May we take up the torch that has been passed to us—not only from those who served our nation, but from the saints who have gone before us in the faith. May we be found faithful until the day we stand in Your presence. Hear also the silent prayers of our hearts, the burdens we carry, the names we remember, and the needs known only to You. We ask all these things in the strong and saving name of Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us, and who taught us to pray, saying: Our Father, who art in heaven…