The Ultimate Cost - Memorial Day 2023

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ Mark 10:17-27

My Uncle Sy WalkingStick died in the Philippines at the very end of World War Two. He was my mother's oldest brother and they had been very close. It was devastating for the whole family and especially for my Nanny. I wasn't born when he died, but she would tell me stories. He liked to believe he could take care of everyone, she once told me. Today, we honor all those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We remember those who, faithful followers of Jesus, put their fellow men and women first. They gave their lives for all of us. And God, who loves us all completely, makes possible what we cannot conceive.

Loving Creator, we pause this day

to remember those who paid the price

who put themselves in harms' way

so we might all live in beloved freedom.

We sometimes think freedom is self-care

yet these martyrs and soldiers knew better

they lived and died knowing your possibilities

and offering their lives so other might live.

Help us to live humbly and sacrificially

let us dedicate our time to the service of others

let us be your followers who demonstrate love

and help shine your light on everyone today. Amen.