Memorial Day Christianity

Do you know the history of Memorial Day?

I certainly didn't. I wasn't sure what we were remembering, or why. So, I looked into it! I learned that it started as Decoration Day: a day to decorate the tombs of the soldiers who gave their lives in the Civil War.

On the first Decoration Day, in 1868, Congressman James A. Garfield spoke at Arlington Cemetery to a gathering of more than 5,000 souls. In one particularly moving moment, he ​solemnly declared​:

We began the war for the Union alone; but we had not gone far into its darkness before a new element was added to the conflict, which filled the army and the nation with cheerful but intense religious enthusiasm. In lessons that could not be misunderstood, the Nation was taught that God had linked to our own, the destiny of an enslaved race- that their liberty and our Union were indeed "one and inseparable." It was this that made the soul of John Brown the marching companion of our soldiers, and made them sing as they went down to battle-

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born, across the sea,

With a glory in his bosom which transfigures you and me;

As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;

While God is marching on.

...

And here are children, little children, to whom the war left no father but the Father above. By the most sacred right, theirs is the chief place to-day. They come with garlands to crown their victor fathers. I will delay the coronation no longer.

Wow. As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.

Can you imagine hearing the Union soldiers singing this on the way to their deaths?

Now, consider what it was like for these fatherless children to hear themselves so honored by a Congressman. As they went to their father's tomb, laid down their wreaths, and wept, they may have felt a sense of pride that consoled their heavy hearts: 'One day, my father will be remembered as a hero, a man who gave his life to save America, and free the slaves.'

That image of total sacrifice and remembrance is a stark one. Now, imagine a different scene: we're lounging on a beach, enjoying a long weekend, eating chips and drinking beer. Suddenly, a solemn figure approaches and hands me or you a gravestone. They say, "Hey, do you not remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for this nation? And this is how you honor their sacrifice?"

What would we think? What would we feel? Perhaps indignation or confusion. "Who is this crazy person? I don't need a lecture. Stop making me feel guilty! Go away!"

Imagining it makes me very uncomfortable: 'I deserve some relaxation! How dare you!'

But what if a similar challenge confronted us not at the beach, but at church?

Remember the last time you walked into church? Imagine if on the pavement, you see a crowd gathered.

They're holding up provocative placards:

Don't oppress immigrants!

Act with justice!

Repent and return to the Lord!

Take care of the widow!

Stop hurting innocent people!

What would you think? What would I?

Perhaps the same, right? "Who are these crazy people? We're here to worship! We don't need their lectures. Stop making me feel guilty! Go away!"

I think it's probably out of place to hand out tombstones on Memorial Day, and in that sense, the metaphor breaks down. Because to see our nation at peace, with people of all races and cultures playing, laughing, and enjoying themselves together, is in its own way, what the Union soldiers so painfully gave their lives for. If we traveled back in time and told them that one day, 11% of American marriages would be interracial, they would be in disbelief. Their sacrifice bore fruit.

Still, isn't there some incongruity if we only honor sacrifice with personal indulgence?

To return to the headline, what is "Memorial Day Christianity"?

God intended our weekly gatherings to be a remembrance of Jesus' self-giving sacrifice: His shameful, painful, agonizing crucifixion, paying the full price for our sins. His grace is what saves us from our sins and frees us to be born again, into a new way of life.

It's a question I have to ask myself, and perhaps we all do: is this how we remember the death of Jesus?

Does our remembrance inspire us to live as He lived, even to die as he died to give us life?

Or do we sometimes come to church expecting a good vibe and a comforting message?

It turns out that this is a spiritual issue in every generation. It's not just you and me. It's the human condition.

The placards I mentioned? I know they might seem upsetting, but I was only quoting the Bible. All those quotes come directly from Jeremiah 7:1-11.

As the Lord's prophet, Jeremiah was sent to stand in the gate of the house of the Lord and call out to all the worshippers: "I see how you're living. It's full of lies, bloodshed, oppression, idolatry, and wishful thinking. Don't come into God's temple to recite some slogans and think you're good. It's only if you correct your ways, change your behavior, and do what pleases God that you have any hope."

For me, here's the most convicting line: "Do you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts? Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it. This is the LORD’s declaration." (Jeremiah 7:10-11).

"Yes, I too have seen it."

It's sobering. God sees my life. He sees your life. He knows the truth of our hearts and our actions.

If God has truly rescued us through Christ, then our lives should become a willing offering, a giving of ourselves to rescue and serve others — just as the Union soldiers gave theirs for a cause greater than themselves.

Would you give your life to free enslaved people?

Well, what would you and I be willing to give our lives for? What cause would animate a sacrificial life?

Guilt can crush us. Shame can demoralize us.

But Jesus? He can free us to live a fully human life - a life that is filled with love for those who are suffering.

It's because God loves us unconditionally that we can take an honest look at ourselves.

So, how do we move from a faith that merely remembers sacrifice to one that embodies it?

Perhaps I'm preaching to the choir. Or maybe we all need to do some sober self-examination.

As we remember God's love for us, here are some reflection questions for Memorial Day:

• Do I have a feel-good faith, or has Jesus transformed me to serve others?

• In what ways am I tempted to say, "We are rescued, so we can continue..." in aspects of my life that don't align with God's heart for justice, mercy, and truth?

• How could "religious enthusiasm" inspire me to seek justice for my neighbors?

• What's one area of my life that God wants me to correct?

• Just as the Union soldiers fought together, who can I join together with to serve God?

Memorial Day Christianity.

What are we remembering?

Do we have a faith that's become dead—or alive?

Do we trust in God's grace to live as we please? Or does remembering Jesus inspire us to sacrificial love?

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Photo Credit: Polina M from Unsplash