Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Frater Aureenhoor Nercua SVD – Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay
Wednesday 4th Week of Easter
Introduction
A true follower of Christ does not only listen to His teachings but also remains attentive to situations where those teachings can be applied. That is, if a Christian has a good memory! If not, perhaps it is time to take a dosage of “memory enhancers.”
Memory Enhancers in Daily Life
We know of chemical compounds sold in supermarkets and drugstores — tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids — advertised to aid memory retention. These products remind us to remember names, past actions, and situations. But these are not the memory enhancers I am speaking of.
Religious Memory Enhancers
In the domain of faith, we have our own memory enhancers: religious rituals, prayer formulas, images, and scriptures. As Catholics, we have the sacraments, the Word of God, and sacred icons. These bring to memory God’s presence, remind us of who we are, and what we are called to do — to be hearers and doers of His Word.
Yet no memory enhancer can replace practice. Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. It is practice that keeps memory alive. Failing to practice what we believe is not a case of memory failure; it is a choice to forget. As the song The Way We Were aptly says, “We chose to forget.” We forget what God’s Word exhorts us to put into action.
The Seriousness of Forgetting
Memory enhancers like Mass and the sacraments are necessary, but practice is what makes us grow and bear fruit. Forgetting God’s words is not something to dismiss lightly. Jesus said: “If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him…” Yet He also warned: “Whoever does not accept my words has something to judge him” (John 12:47–48).
Conclusion
Faith is not only about remembering; it is about living. Sacraments and rituals remind us, but practice makes us true disciples. Let us not choose to forget, but to live God’s Word daily, so that our faith may bear fruit.
“Lord Jesus, help me not only to remember Your Word but to practice it faithfully each day.”
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