Bible Passage:
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Reflection:
Earlier this week we marked Holocaust Memorial Day, we pause to remember the millions of lives lost and the unimaginable suffering endured during one of history’s darkest periods. Each life lost was precious, each story unique, and each soul created in the image of God. In remembering them, we honour their dignity, their courage, and the memory of those whose voices were silenced.
When viewing the horrendous footage on tv, it was ‘man’s inhumanity to man’ in a scale simply unimaginable. How is it possible for any group of people to come up with the plan to inflict this level of carnage on other human beings, the majority being of the Jewish faith? My mother’s younger brother served in the army and was present at the liberation of one of the camps. When he returned home, he hardly spoke to those around him and spent much of his waking hours just staring into my Grandma’s coal fire. This behaviour continued for around six months but he must have had to find a way of living with these memories for the rest of his life. I found myself thinking about how I would have reacted had I been in his position especially in terms of how I would have dealt with those in the camp who had implemented the horrific orders they had been given. I wasn’t too proud about the thoughts and ideas that were crossing my mind.
The words of Micah 6:8 guide us in responding to such horror. God calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. Remembering the past challenges us to consider our own responsibility today — to stand against hatred, injustice, and discrimination in every form. Even small acts of kindness, courage, and compassion can shine as a beacon of hope in a world too often shadowed by fear and prejudice.
Forgiveness is another difficult, yet powerful, part of this reflection. While we cannot undo the atrocities of the past, we can allow the message of Jesus to transform our hearts. Jesus taught us to love our neighbours, even in the face of hatred, and to forgive as we seek peace and reconciliation. Forgiveness does not excuse evil, but it frees us from bitterness and allows God’s healing to flow through us.
In the midst of darkness, there were stories of extraordinary courage — people who hid the vulnerable, spoke out against oppression, and risked everything to save lives. These acts remind us of the call to discipleship: to live out Christ’s love in tangible ways, to act justly, and to be instruments of mercy and peace.
Today, as we remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, let us commit to carrying their memory forward not only in thought, but in action. Let us embody the teachings of Jesus by confronting injustice, showing mercy, and extending forgiveness where possible. May we nurture hope, promote understanding, and work tirelessly for a world where love overcomes hatred. And may our remembrance strengthen our resolve to honour God’s gift of every human life, living in faith, courage, and compassion.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We remember the lives lost and the suffering endured during the Holocaust. We lift up the survivors and all who carry the memories of those dark days. Lord, help us to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Teach us to stand against hatred and injustice, and to bring hope and compassion where it is needed most. Give us hearts that forgive, not to excuse evil, but to free us to live in Your love and light. May the message of Jesus guide our actions, so that we honour every human life and shine Your peace in the world. Comfort the broken, strengthen the fearful, and inspire us to be instruments of Your love. May our remembrance lead us to a future of hope, kindness, and faith. Amen.
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