Beyond Memento Mori

At the celebration of a Roman military triumph, the public would have their eyes glued to the victorious general at the front of the ranks—one of the most coveted spots in that day. Only a few would be mindful of the aide just behind the commander, quietly, continuously, whispering into his ear, “memento mori”—“remember death,” a sobering (and wise) thing to hear at the height of glory and victory.

Try as we might to avoid it, we all need this reminder from time to time. As Anglicans we get it at least every Ash Wednesday as ashes are imposed on our foreheads with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” There’s no avoiding it.

It’s a good reminder, but it’s not really the ultimate point, is it? Because those words—and the seasons of Lent and Easter—have a telos, an aim. They point us to an even deeper reality beyond death: resurrection. New bodies, new life, new desire for Jesus, new heavens, new earth…in fact, all things new (not all new things). An unimaginable continuity between now and not yet, but only just a hint of something unimaginable.

As we conclude our five-week time in the book of Revelation, we’ll look at why memento mori is just part of the story.

Steve+