Field Devotional at Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces, Raseborg

Field Devotional on the Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces 04/06/2026 in Raseborg

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear friends. Last spring, among other removal boxes, I carried an evacuee trunk, that had belonged to my wife’s grandfather. The simple trunk made of planks is a part of the Finnish history. In their trunks, the evacuees had their most important belongings, when the war forced them to leave. The Karelian Finns left behind almost everything: their home and social circles, their plans and their dreams.

What would you take with you, if you had to make the things fit into a simple evacuee trunk? Even though the Finns of today own more things than previous generations, I believe the irreplaceable things are not that many. And in fact, the most irreplaceable in our lives is something else than physical things.

I would put other people and relationships in my evacuee trunk. Family. Friends. Colleagues. I would carry them with me, if someone tried to take them. In the same way, I would pack something thoroughly Finnish in my trunk: the values in the Finnish society. The idea that honesty, hard work and respect for others is the best way forward. 

Today, here at this parade field, I am joyful of an independent and free Finland and those who defend it. I am thankful for the Defence Forces and for all those who want to protect the things that I consider to be important. As I stand here, I also understand that the things in my evacuee trunk come with a demand: I have to take care of the relationships that are important to me. I have to be honest and trustworthy. We have to work persistently and make an effort for this country and for our common goals. Respect for others, equality, taking care of the weakest – those, too, are my responsibilities.

In the Gospel according to John in the Holy Bible, Jesus describes his followers like this: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) On the other hand, there are a lot of descriptions of quarrels between the disciples. The Bible hits its target. It is love that attaches people to one another. And still, we argue. However, to God, we are good enough just as we are: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5)

Mercy. That is what my evacuee trunk still needs. Among the people that are important to me as well as honesty, hard work and mutual respect, I put mercy in my evacuee trunk. We need mercy, because we are – human beings. Sometimes, it is hard to take care of one’s relationships. And I am, at least, not always honest, hard-working and respectful of others. Mercy means that it is possible to ask for forgiveness and be forgiven after a failure. And to try again.

Let us pray:

Holy God, Heavenly Father.         

Today, on the Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces, we pray for the Defence Forces and the work that they do. We pray for the president of the republic and for the decision-makers both in Finland and in the entire world. We pray for the people of our country and all the peoples of the world. Let the good win, make this world, ravaged by war, a place for peace. Help each and every one of us to reach the path of love and goodness. Give us a merciful attitude towards one another. Thank you that you love us. In the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.