There are just times when we have to remember. We have to go back to a time long gone. That is where my mind is today. You see, my brother Jon passed away 15 years ago. He fought the good fight against cancer. He was a kind and caring father and brother. He also possessed the same sense of humor as his brother.
I am not being maudlin here. Not at all, but I am calling to mind the notion that sometimes we allow things to be long gone from us. It might be an old friend, long gone. It might be a parent, long gone. It might even be oneself, long gone. It does not have to be that way. These things or these people are gone but we can choose for them not to be forgotten.
On this day of my brother’s birth, I always remember. I think of a few good stories we lived out together. He is resurrected each time I remember. He lives on in my heart and mind, always. This is how things cease to be long gone.
Perhaps there is another person long gone we should bring back to our hearts daily. Jesus was resurrected and is the Christ. He lives eternally each time we remember our relationship with him. He is resurrected daily as we remember who we are and whose we are. Perhaps this is the true meaning of Easter and perhaps we should celebrate that resurrection daily instead of once per year.
Richard Rohr makes a great point when he says, “I have never been separate from God, nor can I be, except in my own mind.” I am never separate from my brother and I most assuredly take great comfort in knowing I am never separate from God.
TMM