John 16:13 He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. (The Message Bible)
Last week was Pentecost which makes this week Trinity Sunday. It is also Memorial Day weekend. As we remember all the men and women that gave their lives for those of us still around I think it is worth a thought as to why they would do such a thing. My guess is that they did it, whether they volunteered or were volunteered by a draft, out of a sense of duty and devotion to family, friends and neighbors who would be able to live a higher quality of life because of their service. While we build monuments to them, large and small, public and private, I doubt any of them went to their deaths with dreams of monuments. They would have happily been forgotten if that meant coming home to loved ones with a just peace secured. Above Jesus notes that it is the nature of God the Holy Spirit to not draw attention to himself but to put the focus on Jesus. Maybe part of the Triune nature of God is this having someone else to focus on, to give deference to, to serve in love. In a world when so many are screaming “look at me,” “listen to me,” (Facebook? Twitter? Preachers- no surely not preachers!) it is good to remember the goodness of selfforgetfullness even as we remember those who forgot themselves for us, in uniform or out, human and divine.
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 