Richard's Reflections (November 2025)

Remembering things can be a challenge, particularly as we get older. Where are my glasses? Where is my phone? Does that sound familiar? And when we are going away for a few days, we need to make lists of what we need to take with us, or we’ll be on the A 465 saying. “I meant to bring…”

We can forget people as well, again you know how it is. Someone will come up to us and say “hello” and we have to reply as if we know who they are even though we have forgotten. Conversations such as “how are things for you where you are?” and you hope and pray they will say something to give you a clue as to who they are.

Remembering events is important too. As I write this, I am reminded that 59 years ago the tragic events at Aberfan took place. And we should remember that. I once met a nurse who worked in the area at the time, and she told me that it is impossible to describe the sheer horror of what happened.

We will have the opportunity to remember those who have given their lives in war too, very soon. And again, it is important to do so, as we think of the sacrifice they made, and pray for the world as it is now, that wars will cease, and people will live in peace together.

Jesus himself knew that we would need reminding of what he has done. That is why we celebrate Communion together. We take bread and wine as we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. We use the words of Jesus:

“Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22 v 19

Let’s ask God that we will, with the help of the Holy Spirit, remember all that Jesus has done for us as we live our lives from day to day. In the words of a modern song:

I cast my mind to Calvary

Where Jesus bled and died for me

I see His wounds, His hands, His feet

My Saviour on that cursed tree.

Then on the third at break of dawn    

The Son of heaven rose again     

O trampled death where is your sting            

The angels roar for Christ the King      

Martin W. Sampson, Benjamin William Hastings, Dean Michael Ussher

© Hillsong Music. CCL 120228

Love in Jesus,      Richard