The Reflectionary

Reflecting and Doing

A Meditation for Remembrance Day

This thoughtful activity helps us to consider the results of darkness in the world, and to remember the victims of many kinds of wrong – oppression, crime and injustice – as well as people who suffer through war.

You will need:

• Squares of blotting paper or watercolour paper – torn edges work well
• Washable black markers
• Small bowls of water with red food colouring
• Small bowls of water
• Plates to work on
• Teaspoons
• ‘Milton’ sterilising tablets
• Baby wipes – just in case, and to wipe fingers afterwards

What To Do

Amos speaks of The Day of The Lord as a dark day. It is a day when all the darkness of the world will be shown for what it is.

Hold the black marker in the centre the paper for a few seconds until there is a large black circle. The darkness comes from inside people, from inside people like us. Hold silence for a while to confess our own dark places to God and ask him to lighten our darkness.

The darkness of the world bears fruit in sin. Use a spoon or your fingers to drip the red water onto the paper around the black mark.

Ask people to name aloud victims of sin that comes from the darkness – those killed or injured in wars and acts of terror; those who mourn them; victims of racial aggression; those forced in to slavery; child soldiers, refugees … As these people are remembered, drip more red onto the paper.

You may observe 2 minutes of silence at this point

“But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

The Day of The Lord is a day when injustice and oppression will be swept away by a flood of God’s justice and righteousness. God will set right the wrong. God promises that

“he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’ (Rev 21:4)

Place a sterilising tablet in the centre of your plate and drip 3-4 teaspoons of water on it, then place your poppy on top. Watch the red and the black fade, as “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Add more water if you need to.

There may be some red and back left on your paper. This can remind us that we do not always see the fulfillment of God’s promise this side of eternity.

 

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Reading

Amos 5:18-24 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;

as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.

Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?

I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.

Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.

But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Information

Sterilising tablets are a cleaning product. As with all cleaning products, read the packet for safety information, and follow all precautions stated. Cleaning products should not be used by unsupervised children. Do not handle the tablets when wet. Dispose of all waste safely. Wash hands after handling cleaning materials. Food colouring and sterilising solution may stain fabrics.

Credits

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.