Season of Remembering

6 Nov 2024 • Articles

Dear Friends,

As we come once more to the Season of Remembering, which includes All Souls and Remembrance Day, our minds will be burdened with the many horrendous happenings throughout our world in the past year, some of them at this very moment being replayed on our television screens- the ongoing Israel- Hamas War, the Russia-Ukraine War, hurricane Milton approaching Florida. We could well want to turn off our news programmes and decide not to connect with the latest events affecting so many people in bad ways, in favour of a news- free environment!

But it is in connecting with life events that we are helped to relate to each other wherever we live and give our own lives meaning. Relationships with our surroundings, fellow humans, and even ourselves require action, whether that be listening, acting, giving or speaking. And that, of course, is true of what is happening at this moment of time or has happened in the past during our own life time or in earlier periods of history. All of our relationships are rooted in our memories. Without being able to reflect upon our past, we cannot learn and evolve.

When we remember important events, milestones, and details about the people we care about, it demonstrates our love, care, and attentiveness. It reminds us of who we are, where we’ve come from, the hurdles we’ve leapt over, the challenges we’ve faced and the triumphs we have achieved. It teaches us valuable lessons, reinforces our values, and, sometimes, just gives us a good laugh or a poignant pause.

Remembering isn't passive; it is an action that brings the power of Jesus into our lives. As we remember what he has done, it enables us to stop focusing on impossibility and instead focus on the God who does the impossible. The Bible has many instances of calling people to remember what has gone before. The Jewish people are called to remember how God has helped them in the past, when he rescued them from slavery in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land. In doing so, they will feel his guidance in the present time and deepen their trust in him.

We face an important question in asking ourselves what Jesus wanted us to remember when he said, "Remember me. This is my body, broken for you. This is my blood that is shed for you", He wants us to remember all that he has done for us out of love for us. 

And so, this coming month, give thanks for all the good things that have come your way through your family, friends, work place, church and don’t forget to thank God, who has been there through them all.

Love and peace,

Irene Smith

(OLM with PTO in the Uttoxeter Benefice of Parishes)