“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands,
you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have
told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant
does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you
so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the
Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
[John 15: 9–17]
The act of Remembrance in my area is always very well attended. The memorial is so busy that the road has to be closed, and the church is so full it is standing room only. It is a mark of how important remembering is for people in the community, regardless of their age, gender, race, or faith. It is a time for community to get together.
It is sad that this year we will not be able to meet in the same way. My area is in ‘Tier 3’, so it is definitely out of the question, but this is true almost everywhere in the UK. So how do we remember the past, so we don’t repeat it? How do we remember collectively when we can’t meet together?
I encourage you to spend a few moments in silence to remember all that has been lost. We remember all the soldiers who gave their lives. This year we also remember all those who have given their lives to help others during this pandemic. Perhaps after spending time in reflection, you may want to read the words of ‘By a monument of marble’ by Marjorie Dobson.
Holy God,
We take time in your presence,
to remember all that has been lost.
We remember the soldiers who gave their lives to protect others;
the medical staff who have given their lives to caring for the sick.
We thank you, loving God, that you gave your life for us,
that you choose us, even when we don’t choose you.
We remember.
Amen
You can download this Prayer for the Week here
Weekly Prayers for November by Revd Claire Rawlinson
Image: single poppy – photo by James Wainscoat on Unsplash
