Remember Me
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“Then Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which I am giving for you. Do this to remember me.” Luke 22:19
As I held the bread, the minister said the words spoken by Jesus, “Take eat, this is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” To remember. When we take communion or The Lord’s Supper we remember the words of Jesus and what those words mean. The disciples did not understand until after Jesus’ death and resurrection what Jesus meant by the broken bread and poured out wine. Jesus died on the cross. His body was broken and his blood spilled out for our sins. Each time we take the bread and the cup we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. In this remembering, Jesus’ presence comes alive and anew within us. We give thanks for his sacrifice and remember that Jesus conquered death and is alive. Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope that when we die, it is not the end. We, too, will live again in heaven with Jesus.
Jesus told the disciples to remember His death not His birth. In our society, we celebrate birth, take pictures of the actual birth, and share with all friends and family the excitement of a new life. But when death happens, we are filled with fear and even try to avoid being with people at death. We hear the words that we want to remember them as they used to be not as they are dying. Most of Jesus’ disciples left him as he was dying on the cross. They were afraid for their own lives. Afraid to face the reality of death and the loss of their hope and dreams for life with Jesus. The disciples heard Jesus speak of his death and his resurrection. They had no understanding of resurrection, but they knew about death and it was final to them. They did not want to remember.
As we have walked the journey of death, it is not what we want to remember but usually our thoughts are stuck on the dying. We go over and over in our minds how our loved one died and try to remember each detail of those last days. In our remembering, our focus is on death. In our faith, our remembering cannot stay at Jesus’ death. We would be forgiven because of Jesus’ atonement for our sins, but we would have no hope if our remembrance stopped at the cross. Yes, Jesus died, and we remember, but Jesus was resurrected and is alive and gives us the hope of Heaven. Jesus is with us through his Holy Spirit that lives within us. Therefore, as we remember Jesus, He becomes alive within our hearts.
I believe this is what also happens with our loved ones. As we change our remembrances from death to how our loved one lived his/her life, they become alive within our hearts. We remember their love, their stories, their laughter, their influence, their gifts and so much more. The more we remember, the more they become alive in our hearts. This remembrance gives us hope and helps us walk the journey of grief. Our focus begins to change from stories of dying to stories of how our loved one lived life. We begin to focus on the legacy lived and the difference their life made in our life. We look in the mirror and see a reflection of our mom. We do something, and think, “My dad taught me how to do that.” We accomplish something and say a thank you to our spouse for instilling in us strength and independence. As we keep remembering, we become stronger inwardly and become aware of all those special people who live in our hearts.
Most of the people who have influenced my life and whom I remember, I was not around for their birth but have been present for their death. It is because they died, I celebrate and remember their lives. Many moments I sit and remember, and I smile and give thanks for life, death and remembrances that bring hope. Hope that we will see each other again in Heaven. Let’s remember.
