“You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”
Every time the calendar turns to November, this quote from the late poet Maya Angelou comes to mind. These words remind us that we must recognize our past to navigate our future. This seems to be true in almost every area of our lives, whether it is our culture, our church, or our families. On the first day of November, these areas all merged as I was traveling through Virginia and took a detour to visit historic Jamestown.
Jamestown was founded in 1607, the first successful English colony in the “New World.” From this small section of land, surrounded by a river, the English language, laws, and political institutions would eventually spread across North America. Even though the first settlement no longer exists, there are museums, displays, and tourists on the original land. The land is a living monument to the beginning of our country. A quote posted in the visitor center reminded me of why this little island is key to the foundation of our nation. "It is important to remember this place … (because) Jamestown really begins the modern history of the United States.”
Walking on this site where our ancestors began an experiment in self-governance, I was reminded of our ancestors in faith. The whole month of November is a celebration of saints and souls - a time to recall the holy men and women of all times and places who have achieved “the crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4) promised to those who have “finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7).” The Catholic Church, a universal community, does not remember only one group of people, but we celebrate the faithful from all over the world. Revelation tells us that “there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Rev 7:9).”
Jamestown reminded me of the importance of remembering our heritage and building upon a firm foundation. For Christians, the saints and souls are the structure on which we build our faith. This Kingdom of God is for all people, united in Christ. St. Paul says: “You are strangers and aliens no longer. You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone (Ephesians 2: 19-21).”
During this month, we pause and remember the goodness and presence of God in our history and in our lives. It is a time to recognize the importance of family and friends. An opportunity to share memories of loved ones, to pour over old pictures, to try a recipe handed down for generations and to pray for those who have gone before us.
The quote in the museum reminds all who visit Jamestown that “it is important to remember this place.” For Christians, this place is not a settlement, a colony or even a nation. For believers, this place “is God’s dwelling among men. God shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people and He shall be their God. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the former world has passed away (Revelation 21:3-4).”
During November, we are reminded where we are going, and the saints and souls remind us where we have been.
Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
