Lord’s Day Reflection: Kinship, unity, and Commemoration

By Jenny Kraska

This month marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. June 6, 1944 constitutes a pivotal moment in history which marks the beginning of the end of the Second World War. On that day, soldiers of diverse origins, nations and beliefs stormed the beaches of Normandy with the common goal of defeating tyranny and restoring peace. Jesus' powerful message about the need for unity and his redefinition of family – “For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister and my mother. » (Mk 3:35) – speak directly to the heart of the commemorations of the Landing.

The events of D-Day are a living embodiment of the Gospel's call to a higher form of kinship, one based not on blood but on a shared commitment to justice, peace and the common good . In the Gospel, Jesus invited his disciples to form a spiritual family based on doing God's will, and the soldiers of D-Day formed a brotherhood united by their commitment to a cause greater than themselves.

The unity displayed by Allied Forces reflects the unity to which we are called as the Body of Christ. The Church, with its diverse members, is called to work together in harmony to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. The unified efforts of soldiers were crucial to the success of D-Day and our collective efforts as followers of Christ are essential to confront and overcome the evils and challenges of our time.

World War II taught us the devastating consequences of division and hatred. The horrors of the Holocaust, the immense suffering caused by war, and widespread destruction remind us of the destructive power of sin and division. Jesus tells us that “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; this is the end of it. (Mk 3:24-26). Jesus' words challenge each of us to reflect on our own lives and how division and discord can undermine our communities, our relationships, and our efforts to build a just and peaceful world. We are called to be peacemakers, to seek forgiveness and to foster unity within our families and communities.

The Gospel of Mark challenges the Church, as God's family, to live a radical kinship that fosters a community united by faith and obedience to God's commandments. This unity is manifested through our reception of the sacraments, community worship and acts of charity and justice. Most importantly, our participation in the Eucharist reminds us of our intimate relationship with Christ and with each other, which strengthens our commitment to living as his true disciples.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and reflect on this week's Gospel message of unity and spiritual kinship, may we always remember the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and seek to live our faith with renewed fervor, to be instruments of God's peace and justice in the world, and to find our true family among those who seek to do God's will.