How do we remember them?

John Alexander McCrae was born in 1872 in Ontario, Canada. He became a medical doctor; when World War I broke out he was appointed a field surgeon in the Canadian artillery.  Not surprisingly, he witnessed some terrible sights. McCrae's friend Alexis Helmer, was killed in battle; Helmer’s burial inspired McCrae to write his now famous poem, "In Flanders Fields"…

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below...

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields...

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands, we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields…

On January 28, 1918, John McCrae died of pneumonia. His name lives on through the words of his poem.  The particular words which have stood out to me as I have re-read the poem this year are these:

To you from failing hands, we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

It seems to me that McCrae is demanding that we make sure that the sacrifice of those who gave their lives should not be in vain.  They gave their lives believing that they were fighting against tyranny and oppression, fighting to make the world a better place.  Jesus himself laid down his life for the world; to reconcile us to God, and to show us the better way, the way of love, compassion, servanthood, self-sacrifice.  So how do we bear the torch?  How are we seeking to make the sacrifice of others worthwhile?  Are our lives a blessing to others?  Are we making the world a better place?  It’s easy to say the words “We will remember them”, but if those words are to have true meaning, we need to understand what we are remembering and let it make a difference to how we live our lives.