Each ANZAC Day invites us to look back at the sacrifice made by so many. Although we tend to focus on the World Wars, we also acknowledge all the other conflicts our service people have contributed to over the succeeding decades.

As a small island nation, we continue to do what we can to offer aid, security services, training, and assorted armed responses. Thankfully we have never had to repeat the level of commitment demanded of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. As I recall my conversations with my grandparents, I remember their earnest hope that no one should ever have to experience what they did. Looking at the world, I wonder about the threat to their hopes.

On ANZAC Day, our head students (Jamie and Petra) laid a wreath in the civic ceremony at Memorial Park. One week later, in the chapel, we prayed for peace. During that time, we considered the many conflicts the world is experiencing, particularly Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan. We prayed for peace in the name of the Prince of Peace - Jesus the Christ. When we pray the prayer Jesus taught us, we ask for God's Kingdom to come on earth. That Kingdom knows no war or violence. When we pray, we formulate thoughts about what we desire, and those desires inspire our action, and our action seeks change in the world. And so we pray that those with authority use their power to protect the vulnerable; we ask that those who carry guns lay them down; we stand with St Francis and commit ourselves to become instruments of peace.

May we all find ways to bring peace in our homes and communities, our nation and our international partnerships, and ultimately the world. Amen.