Bereavement (mid-week)

Fr. Tony’s Mid-week Message

Bereavement

August 12, 2015

“When you are going through hell, the only thing to do is keep on going 

until you're through it.”

--Winston Churchill

We have had a lot of sad news in the parish in recent days, deaths of parishioners and family members, people being placed in hospice care, and profound, debilitating illness. 

It is important to remember at times where grief and bereavement are in our blood that Jesus never promised us that we would be spared suffering or sorrow.  But he did promise us that no matter what we suffer, God is there for us.  Jesus is there for us. 

The Greek word translated by “Almighty” does not mean “able to do whatever he chooses.”  It means “the one who holds all things,” i.e., always available to help.  There is no situation where God cannot support and sustain us, and make it better somehow. 

The traditional prayer book blessing is “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ.”   God’s peace indeed surpasses understanding, and can overcome anything that life can throw at us.  God’s blessing may not “fix” or “undo” what gives us pain and sorrow.  But it strengthens and supports us, and helps us to get through it.

Grace and Peace, 

Fr. Tony+