Give Peace a Chance to Work. (Stop, Reflect, Respect and Grow Your Obligation to Serve)

 

September 22, 2021

This week is recognized as Legion Week across the country

and as we look to the work of the Royal Canadian Legion we must give thanks for the tireless workers who keep this organization going in support of veterans and their families.

On September 21 I had the privilege of sharing with members of the RCL Branch 594 in two Cemetery Memorial services wherein we gather at the memorials located in to local cemeteries and share in what is known as a “Traditional Act of Remembrance”. Through the playing and singing of “O Canada”, hearing the “Last Post” and “Rouse” sharing in prayers and just pausing for a few moments, those present took time to remember those fallen men and women who served for the sake of Canada.

In 1981 the United Nations declared September 21 as the International Day for Peace and for these last 30 years they have chosen a theme which reflects the state of the world. “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world” is the theme for 2021. As the world heals from the covid19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable and healthier. 

The theme acknowledges that the world is recovering from the global pandemic. But this recovery is not equal around the world as most vaccinations have been administered to those in the affluent countries, turned down by many when at the same time many countries have not received one dose.  Because of this inequality of distribution, there are countries which are still hurting and grieving the deaths of people.

This UN theme also raises the concern of sustainability of Earth as climate change occurs and people’s lives are challenged by fires, floods, droughts and destruction. People around the world have been facing situations which have not occurred to the extent of loss and destruction that is happening now. So we must do something to unite us not only in peace, but in sustainability of our earth.  We must also remember our neighbours around the world and reach out to them offering them vaccines and hope.

Let us remember the prayer upon thousands of Peace Poles placed in Earth today and share our hope in prayer:

PRAYER: May peace prevail on earth, O God.  Not just as we share in this Day of Peace or Legion Week but that peace will become something we take for granted all around the world. May peace begin with us we pray. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.