It would be interesting to ask a group of people to say a word which they associate with each month of the year. I am sure that for the month of November the word “remember” or remembrance” would feature.
The month begins with the Christian festival of All Saints or All Hallows on 1st November (hence Halloween on 31st October is really ‘All Hallows Eve’). All Saints Day celebrates all Christian saints, particularly those who do not have their own special feast day of remembrance. Of the 16,500 churches in the Church of England, 1467 are dedicated to All Saints.
The 2nd November is All Souls day which is set aside to commemorate the souls of Christians who have died. Typically, we remember deceased relatives on that day. It is seen as an extension of All Saints Day and several Anglican churches are dedicated to All Souls.
“Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.”
This rhyme of course refers to Guy Fawkes and the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament on 5th November 1605 in order to remove James 1st from the throne and return the country to Catholicism. Robert Catesby was the instigator but Guy Fawkes was put in charge of the explosives. The plot failed as an anonymous letter caused a search of the House of Lords and Guy Fawkes was found guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder.
Remembrance Day falls on 11th November and it is a day when we can remember those in the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. It is a time to give heartfelt thanks for those who willingly sacrificed their lives to give us the freedom to live out our own lives. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the armistice was signed between the allies of world war 1 and Germany. Since then many brave men and women have fought sacrificially, and lost their lives in conflict, so on Remembrance Day we remember them and their families for the sacrifice they made.
But of course we need to remember also the words Jesus spoke to his disciples at the last supper and which we hear during the communion service. As Jesus broke bread, he gave it to his disciples saying “This is my body which is given for you, do this in memory of me”. Offering them the cup of wine he said “This cup is God’s new covenant sealed with my blood which is poured out for you. Drink it in remembrance of me”.
We have much to remember and be grateful for. Let us this year, 100 years since the end of world war 1, pray for peace in our world .
Vicky Wilson, Reader, St Peter’s Church Stanley