We’re a bit behind in our sermon postings, but this sermon from Memorial Day is a thoughtful lead-in to the July 4th celebration to come. Following readings of Isaiah 2:2-5 and Luke 1:67-79, and for Tim riffs on thoughts of memory, monuments, and collective stories.

“This holiday that we celebrate makes clear that what we remember and how we remember matters. This matters for our understanding of the world, and for how we define ourselves. Memories are foundational for how we connect with our past and with others. They help build collective memory, social memory, memories that we all hold in common. To these memories we build monuments. They are our stories.” Monuments not only tell stories, but they invite us to be part of those stories, whether for good or for bad. This week we celebrated two intersecting events — communion and Memorial Day. Each mark a liturgical calendar centered on sacrifice.

We are called to honor all life, but does our Memorial Day story honor all life? Our communion story calls us to the way of peace — a story that leads us to life and love.

Hear more about the way of peace: