The Eucharist is many things with one being that of “Remembrance.” The narratives in Luke and in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians all contain the same message from Jesus “Do this in memory of me.”
This year is the culmination of the Eucharist Revival with a gathering in Indianapolis this July. Over the course of the last three years, as part of the Revival, there have been many essays and talks on Jesus’s true presence. There have been corresponding Bible studies on the establishment of the Eucharist. Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and John chapter 6 receive the most focus.
Memorial Day
In the U.S., today is Memorial Day. As I prepared myself for the Memorial Day activities at my American Legion Post, I reflected on the commonality of it also being a day of remembrance. A ship’s bell at the post is tolled for all the wars and major conflicts our military has been involved in. Recitation of those conflicts, especially those of our lifetimes can cause one to pause and remember.
The traveling Viet Nam wall enables one to actually see the names of those comrades we served with – to remember them. To remember is to not forget. As the years pass, it is easy and natural to forget about someone. To see, hear or speak a name is to not forget.
The tolling of the alter bells at the Eucharist consecration and the tolling of our Legion’s Navy bell can serve the same function. I recognize that the alter bells uniquely announce the consecration. However both sets of bells are also meant to get our attention to not forget that a sacrifice took place.
The sacrifice of the Mass is a remembrance to never forget Jesus’s sacrifice for our eternal souls. So, too, as a nation, all of us, whether veteran or not, should never forget the sacrifices made by our service men and women over the years in defense of our country.
Remembrance, reverence and service
As with Thanksgiving, Christmas and all other religious and secular holidays, Memorial Day has become not so much a day off work to celebrate or contemplate, but a “sale day.” We don’t see as much reverence paid to the significance of day. It’s the same phenomenon that is often seen and lamented over regarding mass participation.
Patriotism certainly appears to be on the wane. Recent wokeism activities demonstrate an irreverence by some for tradition and the past. I suspect many of the statues torn down over the last few years were probably erected for a Memorial Day celebration.
Besides our government’s Department of Veterans Affairs, a number of groups have traditionally provided remembrance activities for Memorial Day. The American Legion, VFW, Amvets, and others, put flags on veterans’ graves, host speeches, and sponsor parades.
Willingness to serve one’s country is a measure of patriotism. You might say it’s “where the rubber meets the road.” Unfortunately, the desire to serve our country is on the wane.
The Trends
A recent survey indicated 90% of eligible age young people are unlikely to join the military (58% replied definitely not, 32% probably not). In turn, it is estimated that 77% of Americans are ineligible for military service, due to obesity, criminal records, drug abuse, and extremely poor fitness. And Pew estimates that only 6-7% of the current adult population are veterans.
All these trends suggest a present and future lessening of a veteran population. This all begs the question, who will carry on and keep in the public eye what Memorial Day is all about?
Fortunately, other patriotic and fraternal organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), and many more continue to carry on the reverent traditions. I have also seen many Catholic parishes sponsor and participate in “Patriotic rosaries” offered on Memorial Day.
For 35 years there has been a National Memorial Day Concert from Washington DC. Host Joe Mantegna rejuvenated this event in 2002 (after 9/11). Gary Sinise joined in 2006 and the concert has since gained more exposure for the holiday. In many respects it has served as “revival” event.
So, to answer the question, many have stepped up to the plate and I believe will continue the effort to honor those who gave their all. We need to give them support and participate in their Memorial Day activities. We all have a stake in keeping reverence for Memorial Day alive.
As Jesus stated in John 13:15 “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”. I would like to think that Jesus, in anticipating the future Memorial Day would say “Do this in remembrance of them.”
3 thoughts on “Memorial Day Remembrance: Do This in Memory of Them”
As usual, you like use an article to voice your opinion about something else. My essay doesn’t say anything about your concern for transgenders. FYI, You can be sure that my fellow veterans and I who served and fought under our flag wave it for all who sacrificed.
I don’t have time for any more of your comments. Its off to pay reverence at the Wall, to a remembrance ceremony and probably tear up at a solemn tribute to the playing of taps.
In that case you could have left that paragraph out.
“Patriotism certainly appears to be on the wane. Recent wokeism activities demonstrate an irreverence by some for tradition and the past. I suspect many of the statues torn down over the last few years were probably erected for a Memorial Day celebration.”
Once again a good, moving essay is cheapened by a culture war potshot. Are you aware that openly gay and transgender serve in today’s military? While you sit at home waving the flag at people the next person who dies in combat protecting our country, may well be transgender.
And why do you say that statues have been torn down because they valued service to our country? Isn’t it because they celebrated the Confederate slavery cause? I’d like to see examples of what you are saying.