Remembering, Remembering and Remembering

November is a time of remembering. We gather together at the beginning of the month to celebrate All Saints and All Souls tide – remembering that we are not alone as Christians here and now, but we are surrounded by a great cloud of saints in glory. I find this encouraging in the work and mission God has given us, to know that we are continuing in a great tradition of Christian saints.

We are remembering those we have loved and lost in our Memorial Services too. Everyone who has lost a loved one is invited to come together, to hear names read out, to light a candle in their memory.

And of course, on 11th November we will commemorate those who have died in the service of this country, to defend our homes. We honour their sacrifice and commit ourselves to work to make a country that is worthy of them.

But remembering is more than this. The word literally speaks of putting ourselves back in touch, re-member-ing. It speaks of an act of will, to consciously bring together everything that makes us whole – knowing that without their memory, and without each other we are incomplete.

Remembering should change us and empower us for a life of service today.
This poem by Daphne Kitching brings us back to Christ, whom we encounter in the Holy Communion, who helps to make us whole:

We remember, while we live,
We who breathed with them.
Photographs and anecdotes hold meaning now,
But our children's children will see only images in boxes,
Flat and far-away strangers.

And those who lived and loved,
Who fought and died,
And those who stayed at home and soldiered on
And bravely to their pillows cried,
Will we remember them, as November claims, or just the sadness of that list of names?

A different remembering there is,
A re-enactment, a continuing
Through past, present, and future of his gift.
Linking lives of faithful witness.
In this remembering we live, who believe,
Knowing the love poured out for us.

Christ died, is risen and will return,
Do this in remembrance of me
Do this in remembrance of me
We will eat, We will drink,
Living our remembering in love
Until he comes.