In Kishwahili language of Africa, the Book of Deuteronomy in Bible is called “Kumbukumbu la Torati” which means “Remembering the Torah”. This name is very apt to this book because we find in it in many places there is a constant appeal to the Israelites to remember the Lord and His commandments. Let me here quote some of the versus from it.

But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children. (Deut4:9).

Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt (Deut7:18). Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness (Deut8:2).

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances and his statutes, which I am commanding you today…When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses…when your herds and flocks have multiplied…. then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of land of Egypt (Deut9:11-14).

So we find in the book of Deuteronomy and in the whole Bible there is an emphasis on not to forget the Lord and the might woks he has done and he is still doing in our life. The commandments are presented as a call to remember. Because to forget is same as to be ungrateful. In the church through sacraments especially though Eucharist; which actually means thanksgiving, we remember the mighty works of our salvation which the Lord has done. Also the Creed which we profess is not just a collection of some truths but in it we remember our history of salvation.

In the letters and conferences of St. Vincent we can find he always tried to remember again and again the small beginning of all his mighty works. The purpose of looking back is to go forward with more faith, courage and steadfastness. So let us also always try to remember our personal journey, and see the way the Lord has been leading us and be always grateful to Him.

About the Author:

Fr. Binoy Puthusery, C.M. is a Vincentian priest belonging to the Southern Indian Province. He was ordained as priest on December 27, 2008 and soon after served as an assistant parish priest in Tanzania.  In 2011, after two years of ministry, he was appointed as Spiritual Director to the Vincentian Sisters of Mercy, Mbinga Tanzania, where he still is today.