[Greek] ἀνάμνησις (anamnēsis), [Latin] commemorationem, [Latin] recordare, [Latin] reminiscere, [French] memoire,
[French] souvenir: re-presentation, memorial, remembrance, reminiscence, recollection, a recalling, reminder; Lk.22:19, 1Cor.11:24-25, Heb.10:3
Memorial Day: On this day we remember, honor and mourn those fallen military heroes.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means remembrance, recollection (by word or act), reminiscence, calling to mind, and reminders to the gods. Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 1133 state “But I bring clear recollection to his ignorance.” Lysias’ Funeral Orations 2.39 states “What supplications, what reminders of sacrifices, were not sent up to Heaven!” Plato’s Phaedo 72e states “If it is true, Socrates, as you are fond of saying, that learning is nothing else than recollection, then this would be an additional argument that we must necessarily have learned in some previous time what me must remember.” Xenophon’s Anabasis 7.1.26 states “And what sort of a war would prove to be one may at least conjecture by having seen and be recalling to mind the events which have quite lately taken place.”
Old Testament: This term, related to both Hebrew verbs and nouns, means reminder, memorial offering, remembrance, to remember, to call to mind, and to keep in remembrance. This was part of the meat offering which was burned with frankincense on the altar. Recalling comes from the idea of pricking or piercing the memory. The king’s historian’s primary task was to record events which relate to the king. This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution (Exo.12:14). Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exo.20:8) Jehoshapat the son of Ahilud was the recorder (1Kgs.4:3). He is mindful that we are but dust (Psa.103:14). Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple (Zec.6:14). There is not remembrance of earlier things (Ecc.1:11).
Old Testament foreshadowing of the Eucharist: The book of Malachi is the final book in the Old Testament. The prophet Malachi lived about 400 years before Christ. The prophet Malachi speaks of a future time when God will be worshiped by Gentiles throughout the world in every place (and time zone). This sacrifice will be a perfect oblation, not marked by blemishes like those presently offered by the Old Testament priests in Jerusalem.
“From the rising of the sun to its setting, My name is great among the nations (Gentiles); incense offerings are made to My name and a pure offering; For My name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts” Mal. 1:11
The prophecy is fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. The Mass is constantly celebrated in each world’s time zones. Around the world it is conservatively estimated:
1). 4 to 5 Masses begin each second
2). 8000-9000 Masses occur each minute.
New Testament: This term means reminder or remembrance. With His disciples, Jesus institutes the Last Supper with the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine. He calls upon His disciples to do (repeat) these actions in memory of Him. Jesus identifies His Body and Blood with the bread and wine. In Corinth Paul had to address the abuse and neglect of the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Paul reminds the Corinthians that the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup must be repeatedly done in memory of Jesus. Those who do this unworthily will bring judgment (condemnation) upon themselves. Heb.10:3 points out the yearly reminder of the need to perform multiple Old Testament sacrifices for sins.
Scripture:
“The He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, ‘This is My Body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of Me.” Lk.22:19
Jesus institutes the Last Supper. Jesus instructs His disciples to repeat these actions (breaking the bread and drinking the cup) again and again.
“But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sin.” Heb.10:3
The Old Testament sacrifices did not have the spiritual effectiveness in forgiving sin. Therefore, constant repetition of such sacrifices are needed for the forgiveness of sins.
Catholic perspective on the Mass: The Mass is the re-presentation (remembrance) of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. The Mass is celebrated again and again around the world. The people (congregation) presents the gifts of bread and wine to the priest at Mass. The priest, in the person of Christ, repeats Jesus’ words at the Last Supper. The priest, calling upon the Holy Spirit, consecrates the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Etymology: Etymology can really help us to understand the true meaning (sense) of this term. Anamnesis essentially means recollection or remembrance of something. The Greek prefix ana- means again. Since the Greek prefix a- means not (or without), amnesis means forgetfulness. This is how we get the word amnesia. Therefore mnesis means memory. These scriptures make reference to actions (breaking [the bread] and drinking [the cup]) which are to be repeated again and again.
Conclusion:
Memory, memorial, commemorate, commemoration, souvenir, amnesia, mnesis, memoir, record, recording, reminisce, reminiscing, reminiscence
I think this is a good reminder to focus on the etymology of this term. The Greek prefix ana- essentially provides the basis for the sense of repeating. This is conveyed through recollection, remembrance, and recalling to mind.
I think Socrates helps to remind us that learning is a recollection of what we have remembered. It is interesting to note that this term was also a reminder to the gods of sacrifices offered.
This important term is used quite extensively in the Old Testament. The Hebrews repeatedly recalled and commemorated the Passover event. Malachi provides a prophecy of a pure sacrificial offering made among the nations. This foreshadows the Mass celebrated around in the world in all countries and time zones. These offerings will be made in His name.
In the New Testament, Jesus institutes the Last Supper for His disciples. He instructs them (and us) to repeatedly eat His Body and drink His Blood again and again. This becomes the Mass which is the re-presentation of Jesus’ one and only sacrifice at Calvary (which is re-presented over and over again).
Mnesis essentially means memory. A souvenir is something used as a reminder for a person, place, or event.
I hope this post can help remind each of us that this term refers to remembering and recalling again and again. Don’t forget!
