Memories

Joshua 3:14-4:7

Matthew 26:1-16

Recently I had the opportunity to visit a part of the Civil War battlefield at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Like virtually all major battle sites throughout the world Vicksburg is dotted with monuments and markers in memory of those who participated in the fighting. One life-size statue in particular caught my attention. It had been placed at the site in 1912 by the wife and daughter of a Union Army officer. Historians might reflect on this man’s role in the war, but I did not recognize the name, nor do I remember it. Whoever he was, he may well become known best as “one of the guys with a statue.”

By comparison two of our readings for today touch on the role of memory within the community of faith. In the account from Joshua God commands that twelve stones from the River Jordan be gathered and set aside. “When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever” (Joshua 4:6b-7). The gospel reading for today speaks tells of the actions of a woman. “By pouring this ointment on my body,” Jesus says, “she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her" (Matthew 26:12-13).

Not to denigrate the role of that “guy with a statue” at Vicksburg, Mississippi, but unfortunately wars come and go and the glory and honor given to participants will in most cases fade with time. The events we encounter in scripture, however, deserve our full attention and to be remembered for what they are, God’s interaction with humanity. What God has done in the past, how God has led the people, and how individuals have responded to God’s work are of greater importance than almost anything else that would claim our attention, for these are the events and actions that set the course for our living and give us courage for the journey ahead. By remembering what God has done in the past, by reflecting on who Jesus Christ was and is, by reciting the words of the Lord and committing them to memory we bind ourselves to God’s will for our lives and to the work of the church as the body of Christ. Remember!

Prayer: Lord, help us to reflect on all you have done in our midst and on all you are doing for us and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.