What does it mean to remember?

Photo by Tairon Fernandez on Pexels.com

What does it mean to remember? As we approach the 4^th of July this year, it is perhaps timely to look at the word REMEMBER with new eyes….

RE  – MEMBER

Could it possibly mean “To bring back into membership, to embrace as a member of a group once again….”?  If so, then we are invited to honor our veterans as family, once again looked upon as those who deserve our recognition, not just because of what they have done, but because they are truly part of us!  This is truly a Christian perspective!  St. Paul calls us the Body of Christ, with Christ as the head and we as his “members”!  As such, we rejoice with those who rejoice, cry with those who cry, suffer with those who suffer, mourn with those who mourn—not because it is the easiest thing to do, but because it is the right thing to do. 

We have been given the gift of memory and we experience the sadness of those whose memories have been dimmed.  Sometimes we use the negative “don’t forget” instead of the positive “remember”; we use “to do” lists to assist our memory.  We know it is not enough to memorize with a rote memory unless the memorization is accompanied by understanding.  Therefore, it stands to reason that simply remembering is not sufficient.  We need to understand, appreciate, cherish that which is remembered.  Jesus asks us to remember:  “Do this in memory of me” and “As I have done, so must you do too.”

So, on this 4^th of July, let us re-member those who have gone before us in service.  Let us remember the many reasons we have to be grateful.  Let us remember that we are the Body of Christ, called to live for others.  Let us remember that we are truly loved by a God who never forgets us!

-Sr. Marie Paul Grech, SND