I was honored to serve again as the Spiritual Director for the 2024 Memorial Day Service at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven, MI on Monday, May 29, 2024. These are the words of the Invocation and Benediction that I offered.
Invocation
In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah speaks on behalf of God saying, “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
Rachel’s children were both in the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, that means her wailing and lament were for the whole nation.
We gather this morning under the solemnity of remembering those who have gone before us as they bravely and faithfully served our country in the military. Not unlike Rachel, mothers, daughters, spouses, partners, cousins, brothers, sisters, and friends have wailed and wept for those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. As hard as it is to admit and comprehend, the price of war is death.
This morning we gather to remember, to give thanks, and to celebrate all of what these women and men have given for a free and undivided republic.
I invite you to join me in prayer in whatever way seems most comfortable for you.
Holy One, this morning we gather to honor all those who have served our nation, of every background and belief. We remember their sacrifices, their acts of courage and compassion. We give thanks for the lives they lived, the goodness they shared, and the love they carried.
To families and friends who grieve the loss of loved ones, we offer our deepest empathy. May they find solace in the warmth of community and the enduring love that transcends this life. We pray that the knowledge that nothing can separate us from a higher power brings comfort and peace.
As we remember the price of war, we also yearn for a future of lasting peace. May we work together, across faiths and backgrounds, to create a world where weapons are transformed into tools of progress, and conflict gives way to understanding.
In this spirit, we offer this prayer, united in hope, remembrance, and love.
Amen.
Benediction
As we conclude this day of remembrance, let us carry the spirit of these fallen heroes in our hearts. Their courage, their sacrifice, their dedication to a greater good – these are the values we honor.
May we find inspiration in their commitment to protecting the freedoms we cherish. May we extend that same compassion and service to our communities and the world.
For those who continue to serve, for their families who bear the weight of worry, we offer unwavering support and a collective hope for peace. May they find strength and solace in the bonds of community and the unwavering human spirit.
Let us go forth from this place, united in our respect for all who have served, and dedicated to building a future where peace prevails.
May the blessings of peace, understanding, and love guide us all not only this day but forevermore. Amen.
