Agents of Hope and Peace
By: St James Parish
Tags: Book Of Common Prayer, Thanksgiving, Christ, Ron Abrams, Ethics

by Ron Abrams

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” ~Matthew 5:9

Yesterday, November 11th was Veteran’s Day. On this day in 1918, a truce between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918 is considered the day that ended the “Great War,” or as it was called “The war to end all wars.” Yet we know that this armistice didn’t end war forever. We are reminded on the news every day that as long as there is evil in the world, war will be a tragic consequence. And as long as there is war, there will be courageous men and women willing to put their lives in peril so America and the world can experience the precious gift of freedom.

Like many Americans I grew up in a home where respect for our veteran’s was paramount. My father is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. As children, my father and mother made sure that we understand the sacrifice and importance of those who served in the armed forces.

I remember vividly the story my mother told of a woman she befriended while my parents were living in Japan during the Korean War. The woman was the wife of another soldier who worked with my father, but her story was radically different from my parents. She was from what use to be known as the country of Czechoslovakia. During World War II her village was invaded by the Nazis. People were murdered, put in prison and raped. Everything was taken from them and loved ones disappeared in the middle of the night. When the Germans left, the Russians took over and thing got worse. This friend told my mother that is wasn’t until the American troops arrived that people felt safe and had hope. This grateful woman credited the American troops with saving her life and her country.

In relaying this story to a military friend of mine a number of years ago he said, “People think that the military is all about guns and dying and destruction. On the contrary, we’re about the baptismal covenant.” Somewhat surprised by what he said, I asked “Explain?” Without missing a beat he articulated parts of the baptismal covenant on page 304–305 of the Book of Common Prayer. He said, “We resist evil, seek and serve Christ and strive for justice and peace.”

My mother’s story and my friend’s remarks all hit my soul like a tidal wave when I visited Prague in 2007. As I was observing happy children playing in a park, merchants thriving in their businesses, tourists roaming the streets, all of a sudden church bells started to ring. It was at that moment that I realized that the real work, the real gift of our valiant men and women of the military are indeed agents of God’s grace. Like all human beings, sometime the military fall short of this grace. Yes, bad things happen from time to time in the military, but they do on every street corner in the world as well. For the most, the men and women of are Armed Forces have made our world and our nation safer, freer and happier. These gifts though, come with a mighty cost!

During my years living in Fayetteville, North Carolina (Home of Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne) I became acutely aware of the many sacrifices our military make for the freedom we have as a nation. From long deployments away from the families to being moved every few years to risking their very lives, these men and women give much for the freedom we enjoy. Two weeks ago I was privileged to share in a Marine reunion service and dinner here at St. James. It was moving to be surrounded by many who served our nation from World War II to the Vietnam conflict. It was another reminder that freedom isn’t free. That freedom is a God given gift that we have to work hard for each and every day and some die for!

So as we move closer to Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends and with food in abundance take time to give thanks for our freedom and the men and woman who make this freedom possible. Say a prayer for those who are way from their families this Thanksgiving protecting our safety and freedom. (Check out pages 823 and 839 of the Book of Common Prayer!)

This Thanksgiving, as we thank God for our many blessings as a nation and as individuals take a moment to read the following poem. I have no doubt it will make your holiday more meaningful!

It is the VETERAN,

not the preacher, who has given us the freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN,

not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN,

not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN,

not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN,

not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN,

not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN

who salutes the Flag;

It is the VETERAN

who serves under the Flag.

The Rev. Ron Abrams serves as Rector of St. James. He and his wife are native Long Islanders, have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two dogs. Before answering the call to St. James, Ron was Rector of Holy Trinity in Fayetteville, NC; Rector of St. Ann’s in Bridgehampton, NY; and Assistant at St. Mark’s, Westhampton Beach, NY. Ron is also an avid Yankees fan and historian.