During the First World War, one of the most famous battles in which the Canadian armed forces were involved was at Vimy Ridge. Although they were still relatively inexperienced, the Canadians were given the task of storming the Ridge and the outcome was that we were successful where others had previously failed.
Since that time, Canada and France have enjoyed a special relationship. Indeed Canada and many of the European countries involved in the World Wars have good relationships even to this day. At Vimy Ridge, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial still stands as a legacy of the relationship that was forged in that battle so many years ago.
The ravages of war continue to reek havoc, physically, emotionally and mentally upon many thousands of people even today. Perhaps it is time that the human heart should stop to recognize the value of peace and reconciliation which allows us to build up and strengthen ties that bind instead of tearing them assunder.
In Chapter 8 of his book Values in a Time of Upheaval, Benedict XVI reflects on the lessons to be learned by war. The military cemetery at La Cambe, near Caen is the scene for his musings, a poignant locale which recalls the devastation of war, and leads us to wonder about the lessons that need to be learned.
Against the backdrop of the La Cambe cemetery, or the Vimy cemetery, or any other military cemetery throughout the world, we all must ask ourselves, 'What are you going to do to prevent the world from being laid waste anew by hatred and violence and falsehood?' (p. 123)
Reflecting on the role of political leaders who were instrumental in rebuilding the war torn areas after the destruction of the fighting, the Holy Father opines, 'politics is more than a mere pragmatism. It must always be a moral matter, since the goal of politics is justice accompanied by peace, and it employs the criteria of law to regulate the exercise of power. If the essence of politics is the moral ordering of power on the basis of the criteria provided by law, then the heart of politics is one of the fundamental categories of morality.' (p. 125)
It is right that we should never forget the injustices of war, but we must also temper these memories by viewing them in the light of the great history of reconciliation that is possible in its aftermath. Reconciliation has the power to show us where to find the powers that heal. It is only when we allow God to enter the world that the earth can become whole and the world can become humane.
- Photo: Canadian National Vimy Memorial, courtesy Vetrans Affairs Canada
No comments:
Post a Comment