National Commemoration

Today we remember the Australian and New Zealanders who sacrificed their lives in battle.  We also remember the civilian victims of war and pray for peace throughout our troubled war.

There are two choices for each of the readings.  The first reading from the book of Wisdom (3:1-9) reminds us that “the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God…they are in peace.” The alternative first reading from the prophet Isaiah (9:1-6) speaks of the coming of the “Prince of Peace. Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end.”

The second reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 1:18-25) speaks of the Cross, “the language of the Cross may be illogical to those who are no on the way of salvation, but those who are on the way see it as God’s power to save.”  The alternative second reading from the letter to the Ephesians (2:13-18) tells us that Christ restored peace through the cross and that “he came to bring the good news of peace.”

The Gospel from John (12:23-28) gives us Jesus’ words “I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.”  In the alternative Gospel, also from John (14:23-29), we hear Jesus’ promise “Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.”