11/22/2023 0 Comments Prayers for remembrance sunday ukA family member of whom they have no ‘memory’ and yet, re-membering was still important. Many were remembering a specific family member. I eavesdropped on the crowds’ conversations. So why do we still fall silent? In 2014 I went to see the Sea of Poppies Installation at the Tower of London. For all it is the overwhelming numbers we recall in history books, grief was for the individual. Because those who died had value, they had innate worth. Remembering an individual within a collective remembering of millions. The importance of lost individuals as members of the community. Not simply a list of battles fought, but a re-membering, of people, of lives, of relationships. The trauma and loss of life were so significant that remembering became vital. Many didn’t talk about it for years, but collectively the nation needed to remember. The loss of life of the Great War was dramatic, traumatic, and affected communities throughout the country. He is expressing a human connection, and concern for all they are doing. Paul in this letter to the Thessalonians is not telling them he can remember who they are. Remembering connects us individually and collectively: telling us who we are, where we come from, and linking us to community, friends, and family. The facts and figures? Or the emotions of lockdown, and the pressures of isolation? I wonder what we will remember from these last 18 months. One is simple factual recall, the other forms us as human beings. The difference between memory and remembering. Remembering thoughts, feelings, smells, relationships. Mentally and emotionally placing yourself back into a moment. If you have ever played this game, I bet you are now remembering it. Have you ever played that game where you try to remember objects on a tray? A feat of memory! Memory yes, but not really remembering. Why does Remembrance matter? Why does it matter to St Paul that work, labour, and endurance are remembered? Why does it matter to people today that we remember the work, labour endurance and sacrifices of those who have served and died in war? We continually remember before God and Father your work produced by faith, labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Thessalonians. Many left broken in body, mind or spirit.‘We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. People and places whose lives have been torn apart by division, Tyrannical regimes and philosophies that needed to be challenged and opposed.Ĭivilians, soldiers, communities, countries, With revulsion we recall the evils of fascism, Recognising that we ourselves can be and have been part of such ills. With disgust we consider the greed, prejudice and hatred that have given rise to conflict, The dreadfulness of the Bosnian and Kurdish genocidesĪnd countless other atrocities across the years. With horror we recall the awfulness of the Holocaust, We reflect today on the catastrophe of war, Here’s a prayer for Remembrance Sunday, reminding us of the two faces of war: the heroism and courage displayed by so many, and still displayed today, but also the dreadful cost the price paid by so many others.
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