O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ A Prayer for Heroic Service – The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 839
Dear People of St. David’s,
On Monday, our nation celebrated Veterans Day. It serves as a yearly reminder to thank the Veterans in our lives for the sacrifices they made in service to our country. For me, it’s an interesting day because, although I have friends and family who served, I never feel a strong personal connection with Veterans Day. Part of the reason is that I feel I can never live up to the heroic service of these men and women in our armed forces. Courage, bravery, discipline, and selflessness are ideals that all Americans should strive for, and our Veterans have lived them out, for our benefit.
Last Sunday at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas, the Rt. Rev. Ann Rotonia, Bishop Suffragan for The Episcopal Church’s Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, preached a sermon at their annual Veterans Day worship service. Did you know that the Episcopal Church has a bishop responsible for recruiting, endorsing, and supporting chaplains in the military, Veterans’ hospitals, and federal prisons? One of our former Associate Rectors, the Rev. Maurice Dyer, is now an Air Force Chaplain thanks to this ministry. This is something that makes me proud to be an Episcopalian! Bishop Rotonia is a Veteran herself, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve for 17 years.
Her sermon really struck a chord with me. For someone like me who may feel inadequate in comparison to the brave men and women who served this country, she was able to relate military service to the Christian life and mission. She connected those who served our country—willing to give their lives to protect one another from those who would do harm to our country, harm to our citizens, harm to the oppressed, and harm to those we love—to the Christian responsibility. She asked, “How many of us are willing to sacrifice from our own abundance that others in our country and community might have enough? How many of us are willing to stand up for those who are bullied or marginalized?” This is exactly what our Veterans have done and continue to do. They did it on the ultimate level, risking everything they have for others.
We can follow their example. We can give from our abundance, stand up for the oppressed and those on the margins of society, and respect the dignity of every human being. It’s not only what our Veterans have done, but it’s also what Jesus did. Our Veterans have led by example, and for that, I am grateful. So, I say thank you to those brave men and women who served our country. We can honor them by responding with love.
See you all in church!
Blessings,
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Associate Rector
Published on November 14, 2024