I am pleased that services for Remembrance Sunday are being allowed to take place when so many events cannot. This is a time when we remember those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy freedom. Freedom is a very precious thing and must be protected at all costs. The men and women who died in war showed great courage and we must not allow the COVID19 virus to paralyse us with fear and bring our lives to a standstill. In the Book of Joshua, chapter one and verse six, we read of God saying to Joshua (who was to take over leadership from Moses) – “Be strong and of good courage.”

One of my unforgettable experiences in ministry was leading a service for the men of The Monte Cassino Veterans Association in Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno. I was very nervous to be among men who had shown such courage.

The battles took place in 1944 when soldiers of many nations came to Cassino in Southern Italy by sea and air and different land routes. Tens of thousands fought there under the shadow of that Beautiful Monastery, originally built by St Benedict in 529 AD. In 1944 it was occupied by the Nazis and had to be taken in order to gain a foothold in Italy for the Allied Command.

The Monastery seemed to be in an impregnable situation but, after four bloody battles, it was eventually taken.

Today there is a monument on the top of the hill known to all at that time as Point 593 and to the Germans as Calvary Mount. The inscription reads: “We Polish soldiers, for our freedom and yours, have given our souls to God, our bodies to the soil of Italy and our hearts to Poland.”

Today, the vision of St Benedict is still before us. The word PAX is engraved in the fabric of the Monastery for today’s visitors to see. Peace is still the goal, through a disciplined life of work and prayer and the new life of Resurrection is still possible.

Let us work for Peace and for all that builds up the common good.

The following hymn by Elfed (1860-1953) paints a picture of what the Nation of Wales should be like:

Cofia’n gwlad, Benllywydd tirion, dy gyfiawnder fyddo’i grym; cadw hi rhag llid gelynion, rhag ei beiau’n fwy na dim: rhag pob brad, nefol Dad, taena d’adain dros ein gwlad.

Gwna’n Sabothau’n ddyddiau’r nefoedd yng ngoleuni d’eiriau glân; dyro’r gwlith i’n cymanfaoedd, gwna ein crefydd fel ein cân: nefol Dad, boed mawrhad ar d’Efengyl yn ein gwlad.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) great hymn is based on Psalm 90.

O God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home;

Under the shadow of thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defence is sure.

Time like an ever- rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day.

Prayers:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we remember with thanksgiving those who have made the supreme sacrifice for us in time of war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain. By your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves anew to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world, for the honour and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Hollalluog Dduw, diolchwn ger dy fron am y rhai a laddwyd yn y ddau ryfel byd ac yn rhyfelau wedi hynny. Diolchwn i Ti am bob dewder a dyfalbarhad yn y frwydyr yn erbyn y drwg a thros ryddid, a gweddiwn am i gyfiawnder a heddwch deyrnasu ymhlith cenhedloedd y ddaear.

Gofynnwn yn enw Iesu, a’n dysgodd i weddio “deled dy deyrnas, gwneler dy ewyllys ar y ddaear, megis yn y nef.” Amen