We die with the dying:
See, they depart, and we go with them.
See, they depart, and we go with them.
We are born with the dead:
See, they return, and bring us with them.
…. A people without history
Is not redeemed from time, for history is a pattern
Of timeless moments.
See, they return, and bring us with them.
…. A people without history
Is not redeemed from time, for history is a pattern
Of timeless moments.
This is just part of the last section of Little Gidding from T.S.Eliot’s Four
Quartets, one of the greatest poems of the 20th century. What’s it about? That’s much debated - but
especially in November, the month of Remembrance we do well to remember those
few words, “A people without history is not redeemed from
time…”
There’s no quick way out
of the mess into which humanity so frequently gets itself. It can be tempting
for Brexit negotiators to think that
a “No Deal” position will allow us to start with a clean economic slate full of
opportunity - but opportunity requires a willingness to engage with hard
realities. Catalonian leaders might argue that a declaration of independence
from Spain immediately confers on their country a new nationhood which all
should recognise - but that is to ignore a history which is somewhat harder to
unpick. The leaders of North Korea and the USA may speak of nuclear options -
but the cost would be devastation.
The season of Remembrance
begins with remembering the holy ones of God and our loved ones at All Saints
and All Souls. In remembering those who
gave their lives in time of War, we see a sacrifice which weighs on us through
the years to this day. It needs to be honoured. We cannot live only for the
moment. How did we get here? Where do we go? The Cross and Resurrection of
Christ stand in history too - and call us on our way.
Martin Jackson
