I have sort of an ambivalent relationship with Memorial Day. Memorial Day here in the States is one of the holidays that we observe every year that is focused primarily on the military. It is intended to honor those of our military personnel who have died in combat (as opposed to Veterans Day, which honors those veterans who are currently living). Its observance among the general populace seems to be more an occasion to kick off the summer season of grilling, beach-going, and other sun-centric activities than it is an opportunity for remembrance and reflection. This I suppose is to be expected in a culture whose attention span makes remembering to walk the dog challenging - reflection is what one sees in the mirror rather than something one does actively and regularly. And I fully admit to doing little reflecting of the sort myself, although some of that is theological in nature as opposed to just plain old laziness. More on that in a moment.

I do think there is a value in remembering, in particular remembering times of trial and suffering and danger, if only to make us perhaps a bit wiser. But that, to me, is the catch - remembering in and of itself is neither good nor bad. What is in question is the purpose to which we put our memories; to what end do we remember? This may be on my mind of late because I've recently finished Volf's excellent The End of Memory. Volf offers some profound thoughts on the role and purpose of memory for the Christian - more on this also in a moment.

Memorial Day, then, is neither good nor bad - hence my ambivalence. Or, more precisely, I think it's wise and fitting to remember those who have died in warfare, to mourn their loss and to perhaps hope for something better. My ambivalence comes from the way that such memory has been co-opted into a vehicle for fueling current struggles. The sacrifices of yesterday are used to justify the sacrifices of today and to pave the way for the sacrifices of tomorrow. This is profoundly unwise and I believe dishonors those who we remember. No amount of memory of the past will turn present conflicts into just wars, and we are fools to participate in such nonsense.

I sat through one of the most profoundly disturbing Christian worship gatherings that I have ever attended yesterday - and I use the term "worship" loosely. I was visiting my parents this weekend, and my family attended their church on Sunday morning. I knew I was in for a long morning when I saw the prominence of the American flag on the stage upon entering the sanctuary - and I wasn't disappointed. From the singing of America the Beautiful during the worship to the sermon which was full of rousing support for the war on terror to the prayer in which we ostensibly asked God for victory to the video featuring numerous photos of soldiers to the soundtrack of "In Christ Alone" - the irony almost killed me - I felt as though I was being assaulted. I've seen some strange stuff in the arena of American civil religion masquerading as Christianity, but nothing has come close to the astounding display of "patriotism" that I witnessed yesterday.

I just sat in stunned silence. How can a Christian worship service address the question of war and never mention anything of peace? The word didn't show once, and I do not exaggerate. There was no talk of reconciliation, of love for the enemy, of the end of war in the Kingdom of God, or of the way of the Cross. None of the redemptive themes that make Christian reflections on war, well, Christian. Just an unquestioning embrace of current American foreign policy and the unspoken but very real implication that to disagree with said foreign policy is sinful.

Memory, for the Christian, is not about fueling and funding conflict. It is not about getting even; it is not about encouraging violence; it is not about celebrating death. Memory looks in two directions at once - it looks back to the past, while also looking forward to the future. And the future, for the Christian, is about the end of death and the reconciliation of all things. Remembering, for the Christian, fuels hope for the time when war itself will cease. It should, in other words, be redemptive. Should we remember those who have died in conflict? Absolutely - but let us remember all who have died, not just Americans, and let us do so mindful and hopeful of a time when war will be no more and death itself will die and fade to nothing.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev 21:1-4)

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