ANZAC Day: Remembering the courage and sacrifice of the fallen
By Catherine Sheehan
Archbishop Tony joined other dignitaries in laying a wreath of remembrance at the Cenotaph in Hobart during the ANZAC Day service on 25 April.
The ANZAC Day parade began at 11am at the Town Hall and made it’s along Macquarie Street to the Cenotaph in Queens Domain where the official ceremony commenced at 12pm.
Earlier in the morning, Archbishop Tony celebrated a special ANZAC Day Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.
In his homily, Archbishop Tony likened the ritual of ANZAC Day with the Church’s Easter liturgies.
“It is striking, isn’t it, that in a society that often distances itself from faith, these are the moments when it instinctively reaches back to the language of faith—to symbol, to silence, to sacrifice, and hope beyond death,” Archbishop Tony said.
“In truth, ANZAC Day is as close as our secular culture comes to the great symbols of the Easter Vigil and the Easter season itself.”
Archbishop Tony also spoke of courage and sacrifice as the focal points of ANZAC Day, which need to be rightly ordered in light of the Gospel.
“You see, courage, by itself, is not enough. Courage must be rightly directed. Sacrifice must be rightly ordered. Otherwise, even the noblest of human qualities can be misused.
“This is where the Gospel and our faith address ANZAC Day with unmistakable authority.
“Jesus says: ‘A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.’
“Those words echo through every war memorial, every white cross, every red poppy, every story of service. They give voice to what we instinctively recognise as noble and true.
“The Gospel goes further: telling us that sacrifice finds its meaning not simply in the act of giving one’s life, but in the love for which it is given—and ultimately, in the God who receives it.”
Archbishop Tony reminded the congregation of the on-going conflicts around the world today and the need to continue praying for peace.
“As war rages in the middle East, in the Ukraine and in other parts of the world, on this ANZAC day, we do not glorify war. We honour courage, we remember sacrifice, and we pray for peace.
“And may Christ, the risen Lord, bring us all from the darkness into his marvellous light.”