There is little argument that ANZAC Day is singularly the most important national day for Australians

There are many mixed emotions and psychological reasons for this, from the sense of grief for those who have experienced the loss of those who physical did not return, to a sense of emotional loss of a loved one who returned home changed forever.

For some it is the sense of gratitude that we feel for the way of life we enjoy as Australians and the knowledge that this has been brought with a price, paid for by blood, sweat and tears.

But there is also another aspect. This is the aspect that reminds us of who we have been in time of crisis and can be again.

In a society characterized by the media as self-centered, self interested  and,  intolerant; that is exhibits itself  in road rage,  greed that is never satisfied, of violence and exploitation of the weak; the elderly, the young and other  vulnerable sectors of our society. When we despair of the values expressed by a minority who seize the headlines, we can take heart that, by the grace of God, there is still within our nation the image of the divine that demonstrated itself in the courage, self-sacrifice and perseverance in the face of determined opposition over two world wars and numerous other battles and military deployments.

 ANZAC Day calls to our mind, in a more focused way, the individuals we miss and our corporate sense of loss we have for our war dead, but it gives us heart, in that we know in spite of all the negativities of our society, the flame of the goodness of God in the human heart will not be extinguished, but will always shine even in the darkest of times.

Kenneth Hopper (Rector)