isn't it ironic

for many years, i've been drawn to st. martin of tours, a saint who began life as a son of a roman soldier and at age 15 became a soldier himself. it was on account of his birth late in the day on november 10, 1483, the eve of the feast of st. martin, that hans and margarete luther named their son martin.

so on veterans day, a day to honor our war veterans and fly the nation's flag, the church celebrates the story of a soldier who met christ in a beggar, was baptized, and turned in his sword and uniform in order to be free to search for a way of life that imitates christ. he eventually became quite famous and was elected bishop, but did not accept the trappings of that office, living in a small hut attached to the cathedral in tours.

but how should we celebrate this day, if we take seriously our being called to account as disciples of the prince of peace in a war-torn world? we could do worse than to follow the actual admonition of congress when they instituted what was called then, 'armistice day.'

Enacted by Congress on June 4, 1926, with these words: WHEREAS the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and WHEREAS it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and WHEREAS the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

good! to commemorate the day with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations. perhaps the story of martin of tours helps give christians the courage to reclaim the historic 'no' to war and 'yes' to peace that the origin of veterans day intends.

anon, and +peace