Teach them to your children and to their children after them

From the Manse....

One of the many 'Memes' that is currently doing the rounds on social media is " I am old enough to remember when Rishi Sunak was chancellor of the exchequer!" A clear reference to the fact that as a nation we have in the guise of Jeremy Hunt, our fourth consecutive Chancellor in just over three months and a fifth in three years.

Just in case you have forgotten who's who in the midst of all the upheaval and turmoil; Sajid Javid, Richi Sunak, Nadhim Zahawi, Kwasi Kwartang and Jeremy Hunt.

A 'Meme' is something that is rapidly shared between people and pre-dates the invention of the internet and modern technology. It is a piece of information, (a joke for example) that we seek to share with others and repeat. Social media simply enables memes to be shared almost instantaneously and further afield than ever before.

The satirical/cutting edge to the meme about chancellors is based on the fact that usually when someone says they are old enough to remember..... we expect them to be referring to something that happened a long time ago, way back in the distant past rather than just a few weeks ago.

Remembering our past is of course vitally important, for it says so much about where we have come from and who we, it reminds us that we forget our past at our peril. In the opening dialogue of the film "Fellowship of the Rings", we hear the voice of Galadriel say; "And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend, legend became myth, and for two and a half thousand years, the Ring passed out of all knowledge."

The purpose of the book of Deuteronomy (the fifth book of the Old Testament) is to re-tell to the Israelites their story, to remind them of where they have come from and what has gone before, so that they do not forget. "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (Deuteronomy 4:9 NRSVA).

The concept of teaching your children and their children, is a thread running through the book, with the imperative to pass on the eternal truths and the knowledge of all that God has done to the youngest so that they know their story.

Whenever we meet to break bread and share wine and hear the words; "Do this in remembrance of me" we remember both who and whose we are.

This month, more than any other during the year, we remember.

We remember the best that we can be as well as the worst and we remember the darkest days of war and bloodshed. We do so in order that lessons may be learned and we try not to repeat those same mistakes that take nations down that road.

We remember that Jesus calls us to be peacemakers.

With love and God Bless

Keith