Memory: War, Music, and Healing

AM Psalm 89:1-18 • PM Psalm 89:19-52
Joshua 1:1-9 • Eph. 3:1-13 • Matt. 8:5-17

Today we remember those who have died fighting in wars on our behalf. I also remember my grandfather, father, and late husband who fought in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War respectively (blessedly, they returned home). Our readings appointed for today appropriately deal with war (always with us, alas), music, and healing. Joshua “fit” the Battle of Jericho, as the spiritual reminds us. The account in the Book of Joshua (1:1-9) tells of the Israelites marching around the walled city of Jericho in Canaan, blowing ram’s horns and shouting until the “walls came tumbling down.”

Psalm 89 is a “maskil” attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, a singer at King David’s court. The words sing of the “loving kindness of the Lord” who has “scattered enemies” and established David’s seed forever. Therefore the listeners should not lose heart, as Paul reminds the Ephesians in a letter he wrote while he was in prison. And in the selection from Matthew, Jesus reminds us that He heals those who have faith, as depicted in his account of healing the centurian’s servant and Peter’s mother-in-law.

I am reminded of John McCrae’s beautiful poem “In Flanders Fields”:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

Even if we can’t always hear them, the larks are still singing, adding their beauty to our red poppies and memories.

Written by Karen Hodges

...who is soothed by music and flowers and faith.