I suspect that those who write about ANZAC Day
in our newspapers, journals and histories are all
saying that in the deepest and purest meaning of the
word, ANZAC day is really our National Day; that
is, our “Nationhood Day.” This is not strange for
our celebrations on this day are all built on the
National glory that has grown out of the suffering
and the sacrifices, the agony and the ecstasy of
Maori and Pakeha at Chunuk Bair and Alameine,
at Passchendaele, and Crete.
It would be tragic if in our schools and in our
churches, because of some sense of modern propriety,
lest we be too shocked, the figure nailed to the cross
was taken away to leave an empty symbol.
ANZAC Day reminds us that the agonized body of
the Son of God on the cross is the deepest paradigm
of what is noblest in our human race.
That at Passchendaele and Alameine at Anzac Cove
and Crete, Christ is crucified again.
Fr Graeme Alexander
