It was supposed to be the war to end war, the title of a book by British writer H.G. Wells published from a series of 1914 articles in London newspapers calling for the defeat of German militarism. First used idealistically, the phrase became sardonic when it became clear that the war that tore Europe apart would only lead to more conflict.
World War I resulted in about 9 to 11 million military casualties with about an equal number of civilian casualties, bringing the total to 22 million, more or less. Its futility was made even more apparent in poetry and novels, one by the German writer, Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front.
On this eleventh day of the eleventh month, stop at 11 AM, when the armistice was to go into effect, and reflect on the millions who have died due to the demonic demand for power by those who invade other countries. Although wars did not end on November 11, 1918, we can still create peace. That is what we are called to do.
Prayer for the Day
Forgiving God, from our youth we have been taught you are love,
That you embrace us even as we sin against you and each other;
Torn by inner conflicts that hold us prisoners to our past,
We find it difficult to ask for help to heal our broken lives.
Move us into a future free from the chains of unresolved regret
And help us reconcile with each other as we ask your pardon.
In the name of him who pardons all who seek truth and love,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.
- Voltaire, French satirist (1694-1776)
But now, for the first time, I see you are a man like me. I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade. We always see it too late.
- Eric Maria Remarque, from All Quiet on the Western Front
War doesn’t determine who is right. War determines who remains.
Rebecca F. Kuang, Chinese American writer
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Jesus in Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5: 9