The Christian Memorial Day

Every year in the United States of America, on the last Monday of May, American’s pause to reflect on and remember the lives of those who have given their lives in the line of military duty. It is intended to be a day of ceremony, symbolism, and somber reflection on the cost that many have paid to secure our borders and to stand for the values of liberty and justice upon which our nation was founded.

However, there is an entire generation of Americans who by-and-large do not have experience with losing loved ones in combat. Since the Vietnam War, there has not been a significant conflict that required wide scale conscription of American men. Our standing military is a volunteer force, and the increase of technological solutions and proficiency has drastically reduced the number of men who die in combat during armed conflict.

This has led to a generation that simply does not know what it means to remember the lost. Many, myself included, do not know anyone personally who has died in military combat. In the generations which fought in the two World Wars and the Vietnam War… this was unheard of. This privileged position has lead to a generation which sees Memorial Day as simply another Monday off work… a chance to cook out with friends or sleep in. This is a sad commentary on the state of modern American life.

Thinking about this led me to think about another memorial day that is distinctly and uniquely Christian: the Lord’s Day.

Each week, we gather together (or we should) and we commemorate the life, death, and especially the resurrection of Christ. We memorialize what he has done for us by singing worship songs which glorify his name, hearing the Scriptures which he inspired, and being taught by those appointed by him to guide and guard our lives.

Periodically, we celebrate this in a heightened sense: the Lord’s Supper

the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. – 1 Corinthians 11:23a-26, ESV

The Lord’s Supper is a serious, sober, and somber remembrance of the sacrifice which Christ made in order to establish a New Covenant by which we may be saved. In this sacrifice, he offered up himself as a sacrifice in order to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God. (WSC 25) The Westminster Larger Catechism elaborates:

Q. 174. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper in the time of the administration of it?
A. It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fullness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints. (Emphasis mine)

The Lord’s Supper is a joyful celebration, but it is also a serious one. The paradox of the Christian life is that we are to rejoice in the death and suffering of Christ because in them we are redeemed. (John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 5:15) Through union with Christ, we are crucified with him, (Galatians 2:20) buried with him, and will be swept up in his resurrection unto new life with him. (Romans 6:4) We also rejoice in our own sufferings because through them we live a life patterned after our Savior. (Matthew 5:11-12, Philippians 3:10, James 1:2)

However, like the American Memorial Day, many Christians have lost what it means to suffer. Many have lost what it means to live a life of sober and somber piety. The Christian life has become one of frivolity and excess. Our Lord’s Day gatherings have become entertainment. Our Eucharist celebrations have become giddy and irreverent. We have lost any sense of the fear of God, and rather than becoming our Salvation (Isaiah 12:2), God has become our court jester.

My brothers and sisters. May it never be!

The next time you come into the Lord’s house on the Lord’s Day, and especially if it is a day that you are going to memorialize Christ’s death, let it be with somberness and seriousness. The renewal of the New Covenant is indeed a joyful celebration, but it is not a frivolous one.

The Lord’s Day, remember, is the Christian Memorial Day.