Go - Went

Memories of the Past

Lord, my eyes are always ever before me.

There is never a point in time when my eyes have caught a glimpse of the past.

They are forever positioned forward and gaze towards the present things which are.

Did You intentionally fixate my eyes in this manner, Lord?

It seems strange, that the positioning of my eyes symbolically represents my anticipated hope of being with You, Lord.

Yet, my memories, on the other hand, provide a bridge to the past. A bridge which vividly captivates the stories of my youth, the times of loving joy, and even those memories of grief, loss, and pain.

Today marks the 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into World War II.  I invite you to reflect on the past, rather than the present fixation of our eyes. Let us meditate on the legacy of the Pearl Harbor.  

The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (Connecticut) rests on the Quinnipiac River. It is more commonly known as the Q bridge.

(Courtesy of New Haven Register)

On December 7, 1941, America went to war. The American government was placed in an uncompromising battle against the Axis forces (Germany and Japanese forces), as a result of a surprise military attack led by Japanese forces. In his declaration of war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed that December 7 will a date in which Americans “live in infamy” due to the severe casualties of American troops in Pearl Harbor. More than two thousand soldiers were killed and another 1,178 were injured as a result of the bombings. The memories of war are complicated: survivors share stories of their victories, fears, and the horrors in which they have seen. However, the testimonies of the victims of war remain unheard. The Church is called to bear witness of Christ’s love and presence throughout history, even in times of war. Today, we pray for the soldiers of Pearl Harbor with confidence in the Lord and of His promises of salvation and deliverance from the horrors of war. We pray especially for those heroes who went to be with our Lord on December 7, 1941, and entered into His rest. We also commend our America leaders who made a courageous decision to protect its people and to liberate the innocent victims of the Holocaust, by declaring war against Japan and its Nazi allies.  

Post by Shancia Jarrett