One hundred years ago on 12 October 1918 a young, 18 year old Private from the Manchester Regiment died on a French battlefield. Unfortunately, like many others, he has no known grave, but his name is etched for ever into the honeyed stone of panel 9 at the Vis en Artois military cemetery 6 km south east of Arras. He was Fred Heeley, my father’s older brother. I visited the cemetery about twenty years ago. I think I was probably the first member of the family to do so.
No doubt you have similar stories of family members caught up in WW1. They are vital in helping us to get a human dimension to the atrocity that all war is. These family memories are what we should especially call to mind on this 100th anniversary of the ending of the war. As we gather together, from all corners of the village, at the Memorial Gates at 11am on Sunday 11th November – we will remember them!
On such days, the silence can never last long enough, all too soon to be drowned out by the hum and buzz of daily life. As I looked out from that military cemetery twenty years ago the French farmland looked lush, tranquil and, in a way, healed. Only the ranked formation of gravestones gave away the bitter, bloody struggle that laid it waste a century ago.
But never to be drowned out is the good news that Jesus challenged his first hearers with; ‘the Kingdom is here’, people can live lives to the full as they receive transforming life from him. The whole of the New Testament is about God transforming the lives of ordinary people who lived in land occupied by a military presence. This new life brought with it meaning and purpose, and healing - for those shattered by slavery and oppression, injustice and inequality.
The theme of life, healing and hope is captured in these words from the prophet Isaiah, which I’ll leave with you to contemplate … “God will judge between the nations, and settle disputes of mighty nations. Then, they will beat their swords into iron ploughs and their spears into pruning tools. Nation will not take up sword against nation; they will no longer learn how to make war.”
Peace to you in this season of remembrance.
Tim Heeley
Keyworth Baptist Church
