"THANKS for the memory" are words in a song often associated with Bob Hope, the well known popular entertainer. They are a suitable headline - a suitable theme for our thoughts and prayers about All Saints tide and the worldwide acts of remembrance. We keep in grateful and loving remembrance the faithful departed. We join with the worldwide acts of remembrance of those who have died of those who are still suffering as a result of their brave parts in defence of justice and freedom. Millions of people all around the world will respond to the call to remember them in famous lines by Laurence Binyon:
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
The sacred moments of silence will be filled with deep emotion and thankfulness for the honourable part they played in the world's destiny. ,We give "thanks for the memory of all that has been true and good in their lives.
We give thanks for having ability to remember. We pray for those facing the frustration of the loss of memory. In our remembering we pass through sad gloom and rediscover confidence in not sorrowing as those without hope. We say "Thanks for the memory" of God's unfailing presence.
In the acts of remembrance, in the moments of silence, we find new hope to continue to live with restored purpose in praying. Mary, the mother of Jesus, found strength, comfort, and assurance in remembrance - "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart".
Saint Peter remembered what Jesus had said about denying him: "And the Lord turned his head and looked straight at Peter and into his mind flashed the words that the Lord had said to him, `You will disown me three times before the cock crows today.' And he went out and wept bitterly." But Jesus remembered Peter. He sought for him. Now we stress Jesus's remembrance of one who had forgotten Him. God is always remembering us, even when we fail Him. Thanks for that memory that we are never outside His caring.
We find an abundance of such confidence in the psalmist saying: "They cried unto the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them out of their distress." The psalmist, and all generations of believers, give thanks for the memory of the unchanging Prince of Peace. So we, in our day of remembrance, echo the longing of the people of the world to join in prayer with the Great Remembrancer and say, "Give peace in our time, O Lord, for it is Thou Lord only that makest us dwell in safety". He clearly bids us to partake in His love, saying: "Do this in remembrance of me".