Monday's Thoughts On Sunday's Sermon

It was something Elie Wiesel wrote about the holocaust that I has stayed with me and it was several years ago I read it.

Wiesel is a survivor of one of the darkest chapters in human history. As a child he was taken from his home with his family and put into a concentration camp by the Nazi's during the Second World War. It was part of what was called "The Final Solution" to bring the nation together by ridding it of Jewish people.

Wiesel wrote that he can forgive the people of his village for a number of things. He can forgive their cowardice. He can forgive their indifference to what was happening. He can forgive the fact that some continue to deny that it happened. What he cannot forgive is the fact that people, who knew, have now forgotten.

In his writings and his public speeches Elie Wiesel has spent his life doing everything possible to make people remember what happened to the Jews in those terrible days. If we forget we will allow it again. If we remember we will know to watch for the signs and it must never happen again.

This coming weekend includes Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May and originally set aside a time to honor the fallen soldiers, North and South, who died in the American Civil War. It was made an official holiday in the 1970's.

The purpose of Memorial Day is remembrance of all who have given their lives in service to our nation.

We seek to remember their sacrifice.

At the church we will do just that and at 12 noon we will conclude our service in the Columbarium where we will remember those who have died this past year who were members of our community of faith.

We must never forget the gift we have received from those who have gone before us. Sunday will be our time to remember; it will be our Corporate Remembrance.

Who are the people you will think of this weekend?

If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.

Remembering the sacrifice of others is a sacred duty.

We value the opportunity to do it.


Charles Schuster