Memorial Day and Communion

So, at the First Church of the Fresh Meat, communion was certainly interesting yesterday.  It was given by one of of the "In Crowd", an elder whom I am slowly coming to know.

He spoke of World War II and his uncle whom was a fighter pilot, dying when he was shot down over Germany.  I was appalled.

Now for the rest of this rant you have to understand I know nothing of this man, what he did as a pilot, nor how he died over Germany.  None of that is what this post is about.....

I grew up amongst a population whom had been on the receiving side of the American fighter pilots.  One of the REALLY politically incorrect things to know about them, outside of Germany, was when their destination was reached - they would strafe civilian sites to unload their ammo, and probably buy them the fuel they needed to get back home.  It was war and perfectly understandable, in a warped way.  After all, all Germans were parties to the war - right?  So American history goes - nothing about the strafing of civilians, nothing about the civil war which erupted in Germany, when Hitler seized power.  But, then what is a civil war when the population was already unarmed.....?  Millions of Germans considered themselves as prisoners of war and actively fought, however they could, against the Nazi's.  Call it passive resistance because it was all anyone could do!

But, this is a communion message.  I am glad he is proud of his uncle and the sacrifice he made in the war effort.  But, I am appalled by the actions of the US Military over and in Germany throughout the past six decades, much less just the war.  I am as appalled by the actions of my people and what the silence of the National Church could bring about!  I am also appalled that my father, one of the 'brains' of the 20th century, was a confirmed National Socialist to the day of his death!

How much better would have been a message about those women in Mississippi, a century and a half ago, whom took to decorate not only the graves of the fallen Southerners but also those of the fallen Northerners!

Equality in memory, compassion and honor! That is what decoration day is about and that is what the communion table is about.....