George, ANZAC Day and Remembering the Battle of Gate Pa in Easter



For us at St. Georges Anglican Church at Gate Pa this is a busy time of year. We are in the middle of the Season of Easter, which lasts for 50 days. Easter is all about hope; hope that our world might live as God intended, with all loving the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind by loving our neighbour as ourselves.
On Saturday 23rd April we remember St. George. While George is the patron saint of England, he was not British. He was born into a Christian family of Greek decent in Palestine in about 280. He followed his father to be a tribune in the Emperor’s body guard. In 303 the Emperor Diocletian ordered all soldiers to sacrifice to him as a god, and if they refused for them to be put to death. George refused the order, and went to the Emperor to tell him that the order was wrong. He was tortured and put to death. His grave is in Israel and he is remembered today as the patron saint of all Palestinians. George challenged the Emperor’s attitudes and beliefs that deprived so many others of life. And he willingly paid the price.
During the last week of April we remember the centenary of the first ANZAC commemorations and the formation of the RSA, and the Battle of Gate Pa. Both occasions offer us a chance to remember the New Zealanders who died on Gallipoli and the Western Front fighting for the British Empire; and those the New Zealanders who died here defending their land, and the British invaders. There is no doubting the courage and fortitude of all those who fought. They were all put in impossible situations. We remember them all.
It is still Easter and these commemorations offer us a chance to reflect on the attitudes, hopes and beliefs that led to both the New Zealand Land Wars and WW1. With St. George, a soldier himself, are we able to ask what beliefs so easily lead us to violence, and in the light of the resurrection to look for attitudes, beliefs and ways of behaving that lead to justice, peace and hope for all. We must remember all those who fought and died, and work with God to put right the wrongs of the past, and in their name to ensure that no more suffer the same fate.

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