Remembrance

One of the constant reminders of getting old – and the frustration about it – is my memory. For many of you this is not unknown. As we age it gets more difficult to remember things. I find myself more and more asking, “What did I come in here for?, What was her name?, Where did I put it? Or some other similar question. This forgetfulness can even make what used to be a simple task difficult. This is not just frustrating but many times angers me. In part these emotions come about because my memory difficulties remind me of my own mortality. We all age. We all die. To be reminded of that in everyday events can be a cruel consequence of life itself. More importantly, our memories remind us of who we have become. Remember those times in our lives that have meaning and gave meaning in our lives: the birth of a child, graduating from school, getting a license, being confirmed, getting married, buying your first house, quiet moments spent with loved ones, and the death of a loved one. We remember because we are human. We are human because we remember.

I dwell on this theme because it is November. If there was any month that is about remembering it is November. We begin this month by remembering all the saints that have gone before us. Those who we knew in person and now know in memory and those we only know because we heard their story told to us. We also celebrate Thanksgiving in November. This is a holiday that is premised on remembering (although it is not the only one). This remembrance is about the story of our nation. It is a celebration of the struggles and triumphs of our nation. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the sacrifice of our forefathers and mothers who have struggled to build a better life for themselves and their descendants and to set great wrongs right: native Americans, those forced into slavery, and immigrants. Together we remember them as ourselves.

In a way we end November as we begin it remembering the lives of all who struggled and strove to make a better world – a world that reflects God’s glory. That world where all people are treated as God’s children and the whole world is revered as God’s creation. Unfortunately, we have not always acted in love toward God, creation, and others. We have been selfish, greedy, and unloving. By remembering those who have labored in God’s vineyard before us we note that they too did not always live as God called them. Yet God has not forgotten them. The only thing that God has forgotten is their sins. It is knowing that God will never forget us that encourages us to continue the good fight. The fight that has the goal of bringing truth, justice, and hope to all the world through the love of Jesus.

Peace,

Pastor John