[11] For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words, and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be able to use thy help. [12] For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster that healed them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things. [13] For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death, and leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back again: [14] A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit is gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is received: [15] But it is impossible to escape thy hand. Wisdom 19, DR
Remembrance of the past makes us the People of the Book, the Bible. Remembrance forms the soul of the Holy Mass. In remembrance, the reality of the Blood and Wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.
In remembrance, we are healed, helped through the Word of God, through Christ Himself.
We are living in a time of forgetfulness The young have never been taught the past. They no longer know or understand the history of their family, their tribe, their civilization. In remembrance is life, but in forgetfulness is death.
When one forgets to eat and drink, one dies. When one does not study, one's mind dies. When one forgets to pray, the soul dies.
The yearly remembering of the Passover enkindled love and identity for the Jews. Identity is not only found in one's own person, but in one's DNA, one's ancestors, one's own history and the history passed down.
Life is passed down from history. One forgets that the name of Moses' Pharaoh is usually not remembered, but the great prophet is. Moses is alive to us, and in fact, at the Transfiguation, Moses and Elijah appeared with the Christ, all three very much alive. Christ overcame death, and we recall the Resurrection, as well as the Passion, daily.
Death is only overcome by the remembrance of the Church's Teaching and sacramental life. Death is overcome by love. There is only one Man, Who is God, Who has power over death and give life. That Person is Jesus Christ, a God-Man who entered into history and became part of our remembrance, our history.
Remembrance allows for reflection, the daily Lectio Divina we all should do. Remembrance allows for gratitude and, therefore, for humility. Remembrance is part of who we are and who we shall be.
To be continued....
