Memorial Day Communion Meditation

Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally called. No one is certain of its origins. Many groups and cities claim to be where the tradition started. The decoration of military graves goes back into antiquity. In 1882 the term Memorial Day instead of Decoration Day was used for the first time. The tradition was to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War. After the WWII, the tradition grew to include all soldiers who died in war. In 1968 it became a federal holiday. It is fitting we remember those who gave up their lives to protect us and the freedoms we enjoy. We gather together in this building without fear of oppression because of those brave individuals who sacrificed themselves so that we could gather here today. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. We remember lest we forget. The Children of Israel also set aside days for feasts of remembrance. It was during the celebration feast leading to the Passover when Jesus took bread and blessed it and the cup and said, “do this in remembrance of me. After having a time of communion with his disciples, he went to be a perfect sacrifice on the cross so our sins could be covered with his righteousness. He died on the cross so we could be free from the bondage of sin. And because Christ rose from the dead and provided us with a way to be with him in eternity, we will have an opportunity to see the loved ones who died in defense of our freedom again some day with Jesus in Heaven. 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.