CANORA – The focus was on the life of the soldier at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church during the Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11.
Ken Rolheiser shared a greeting to open the service.
“We gather today to remember those who have lived and died in the service of God and in the service of others.”
Paul Born shared a scripture reading from Micah 4:1-4, which was followed by the singing of the well-known Amazing Grace.
The cherished poem, In Flanders Fields, was shared by WO2 Maisie Kuzminski of the Canora air cadet squadron.
The message was presented by Howard Howells, who served in the Medical Corps of the Canadian Armed Forces from 1970 to 1976.
“I will talk about the soldier this morning,” said Howells. “When I mention the soldier I am also including our wonderful Navy and Air Force veterans. I was actually in the Canadian Air Force but I did a fair amount of training as a foot soldier. When I joined in 1970 they had combined the three services with the idea of a greater versatility. It didn't always work out so well, but that is the way it was at that time.
“When I was in the military, there were some Canadians who did not think we needed a military,” continued Howells. “We had not been involved in a war since the Korean War, which ended in July of 1953. When I got out of the Service in 1976, I sometimes met Christians who didn't celebrate Remembrance Day, as they felt it glorified war.
“However, the Bible does not disparage the soldier. The soldier is held in high regard. The soldier is used to teach us things about the Kingdom of God, especially in the New Testament. The Bible frequently uses familiar earthly examples to teach us a spiritual application in the Kingdom of God and the soldier is such an example.
“Luke 3:14 tells us that some Roman soldiers came to John the Baptist and asked him what they should do? He told them to be content with their wages, do not accuse anyone falsely and do not extort money from them. John never told them to stop being soldiers.
“Also, in Chapter 10 of the Book of Acts of the Apostles we are told of a Roman centurion named Cornelius who was a God fearing man who placed his faith in Jesus.
“We are not glorifying war today. We are honouring our veterans. It is true that we are to live in peace with our fellow man so long as it depends on us. In Romans 12 we are told: If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
"As far as it depends on us.”
“Sometimes stuff happens that is beyond our control. We pray for peace and sometimes the powers that be can negotiate peace, but there is certain ideology in the world that does not want peace. It is an ideology of destruction. Winston Churchill said ‘You cannot negotiate with a tiger, when the tiger has your head in its mouth.’
“The Bible tells us that an angel by the name of Lucifer rebelled against God. There was war in heaven. Lucifer was kicked out of heaven and he took a third of the angels with him. Add the demonic, Lucifarian realm to our sinful human condition, and war is bound to happen.
“Jesus did warn us in Matthew 24, that before his second coming there would be wars and rumours of wars. In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, we are told there is a time for war and a time for peace. There is a spiritual battle going on in the midst of the wars we see today.
“The Bible tells us: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Howells pointed out that the Apostle Paul respected the soldier, using the armour of the Roman soldier to teach the Church about spiritual warfare.
“He talked about taking the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the belt of truth, the breast plate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and feet shod with the Gospel Of Peace,” said Howells
“In basic training at CFB Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, we had a Pastor. We called our pastors Padres in the military. We had a Padre by the name of Major Benner. He would meet with us recruits periodically to encourage us. We were told there were some 11 per cent of men and women who failed to complete basic training and become Armed Forces members. To complete basic training was no easy task. It was very physically and emotionally draining. Major Benner liked to tell stories in order to give us encouragement.”
From those stories, Howells said he learned numerous lessons, including, “The more we put into life, the more we get out. In the Church we are to do everything ‘as to the Lord Himself.’
“Much time and effort has gone into honouring our veterans this morning. We have surely put in our best effort. Uniforms have been pressed, shoes shined. Poppies have been sold. O Canada has been sung. Prayers have gone up. Wreaths have been laid.
“We all got ourselves ready to attend this morning. I want to thank each and every one who participated. Thank you for honouring our veterans who have given so much.
“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
The message was followed by Prayers of Intercession by Thom Carnahan.
“O God, we pray for peace in our world, the peace, which is your will, the peace we so badly need. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. We remember today, O God, all those who died in any kind of war, especially those victims of the two World Wars. We remember those who came home with terrible injuries, both physical and psychological, and those whose loved ones never returned. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.”
Pastor Mavis Watson led in the Lord’s Prayer and the Blessing.
“We give thanks to You, Lord, for all that makes our lives secure, for reverence for things holy, for respect for all others, and for the humility that leads us to draw on Your strength.
“We thank You for the peace we enjoy and for the opportunity that is ours of building a better society in Canada for the generations to come. We remember with pride and gratitude those who fought on the land, the seas and in the skies to make this possible, and we pray that the memory of their self-giving may be a perpetual inspiration for all of us to work together for continued peace in our land and the world over, for the glory of Your Name, Jesus. Amen.”
The closing hymn was O God Our Help in Ages Past.
At the end of the service, everyone was invited to the luncheon at the Legion Dugout.
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