Chaplain’s Corner
No one has greater love, than the one who gives his life for his friends.
John 15:13
On Monday 25 April, we as a nation, celebrated another special day on our calendar, ANZAC Day. It was great to see a large crowd gather on Wednesday at 6.45am for a special Oxley ANZAC service. Thank you to those of you who came, for our students who led and for our Junior students who laid the amazing wreaths they had made.
On ANZAC day we remember how in August 1914 World War 1 began, and during the early days of this war it is where many believe it was a really defining period in Australian history. It was where we, as a nation, actually came together in unity for this first time.
When we think of ANZAC Day there are many traditions, events, thoughts and ceremonies that come to mind. On ANZAC Day every year, the Bombers take on the Pies and over 80,000 people come to watch this game of football. This game has done a wonderful job of demonstrating sportsmanship, mateship and a modern peaceful form of battle on the sports field. It has helped raise the awareness of ANZAC Day while raising money for our returned service men and women. In sport, there is an incredible bond of love and friendship that is often built, a sense of trust in your teammate, that they have your back.
ANZAC biscuits are made, bought, and sold, representing what the soldiers would have possibly consumed in the trenches during the war. Though the biscuits were likely dry and hard, the yummy biscuits we eat were sold at fetes and stalls to help raise money for the war effort. Love was shown to the soldiers back home by those who couldn’t be overseas fighting, by sending letters of love and support, care packages, or by selling goods such as these to raise money in support.
The red poppy, along with ANZAC Day badges, are sold through various outlets. They help us to remember the fallen. Those men and women who served in the World War 1, and subsequent battles, not just for their friends and family, but for ongoing generations. Their sacrifice and their service, their love of country, love for God and love for their friends is a legacy we will continue to remember and benefit from. The significance of these poppies comes from England in 1919, where the British Legion sought an emblem that would honour the dead and help the living. The red poppy was adopted as that emblem and since then has been accepted as the Emblem of Remembrance.
The thing that really defined the Australian Soldier and made them famous around the world was their mate ship, that young men were willing to die for their friend.
At Easter we reflect on how Jesus laid down His own life for us, His friends. Jesus, when He was willing to give up His own life for us upon the cross, for our gain, demonstrated that powerfully.
We remember the ANZACs, and those who have fought for and protected Australia since, for their sacrifice because they too were willing to give up their lives for us. For our freedom. For the way of life we now have. They also sought to help protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.
War is not pretty, in fact war is horrible. So on ANZAC Day we do not celebrate war, because we know there are no winners in war. But we do remember, we do recognise, and we do honour those who served and those who continue to serve today.
Easter and ANZAC Day have this in common. That Jesus and the Australian soldiers we remember loved us, their friends, so much that they were willing to die. To die so that we might have a better life, a fuller life, a life of freedom and a future to look forward to. We praise God for them!
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Ps Matt Daly
Chaplain