Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
ANZAC Day Mass 2020
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral – 25 April 2020
At Terrigal, on the Central Coast in our Diocese, there is a beautiful War Memorial on the foreshore. On the side of the Memorial is an inscription upon a bronze plaque “Lest We Forget” the memory of all men and women, and their families, who have dedicated their lives to serve Australia in conflict and in peace.
At the centre of the Memorial tabernacle is a fine bronze statue of two “Brothers in Arms”. At first glance, it is obvious that they represent two soldiers of the Great War assisting one another in combat. However, upon reflection, one can see captured in bronze, a tale of deep friendship and a spirit of teamwork that we have come to know and love as Australian mateship.
Today, all around Australia and New Zealand we remember in a particular way, men and women from our many communities, who lost their lives while serving their country. We recognise also the high ideals of fellowship, justice, and peace that they sought to promote and defend so that the world might be a better place.
For us Christians, it is not difficult to see an even higher ideal at play in the great drama of life. It has been particularly vivid for us through Holy Week, as we have commemorated the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is even more powerful as we journey through the season of Easter, because we have a glimpse of the eternal life promised us through dying and rising with Christ.
Our commemoration today is not to glorify the horrors of war. Nor is it in any way political. Our actions demonstrate deep and heartfelt respect and gratitude for our brothers and sisters who have served. Our prayers are directed to God our all-merciful Father who has given us His Son, Jesus, so that the gloom of human destruction and the anguish of death never have the final word. We offer our solidarity to those who have lost their loved ones as together we see the light of Christ shattering the darkness of night.(cf. Isaiah 9:1-6)
As always, Saint Paul reassures us that Christ is our hope who abolishes all separation and division. He is our peace who recreates humanity as one people reconciled to God and to one another. Through His death on the Cross, He has put an end to the hostility of fear and hatred. In the words of Paul, Christ Jesus “came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.”(Ephesians 2:17) At the heart of this great saving act is the high ideal of self-sacrifice. It is captured for us steadfastly by the Evangelist John, “unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.”(John 12:24)
This is the truth about Jesus, and it is the truth about us. Jesus dying for our salvation is also his pattern for our imitation.(John 12:25) To follow Christ is to serve.(John 12:26) To follow Christ is to lay down your life for your friends.(John 15:13) We see no greater love than this.
My brothers and sisters, this ANZAC Day as we commemorate those who have laid down their lives in imitation of Christ and for the service of our Country, may our remembrance of their dying make us zealous defenders of peace. Amen.