As I prayed Easter morning I imagined Jesus' encounter with His Mother Mary:
I find you in the garden, returning from the tomb, but it is all too much for you. You recall the scenes in your mind and relive the horrors of that night. Over and over in your mind you replay the situation as if your participation in my life could have changed the course of my history. It could not; I was a grown man.
Despair and grief flow from your eyes as, weeping, you realize you cannot comprehend such a loss or any way forward. But you see, this is not the end of the story. I come to you, clothed in light, radiant and full of the joy and peace which eluded me while I walked this earth.
I bore the sorrows of many, loved deeply and suffering greatly, but now I am risen. I am in my Father's Presence day and night interceding for you. Great is my joy, mother. Come now, let me hold you; know my embrace once more for I am filled with joy. I am close to you and I will strengthen you.
Know someone grieving the loss of a child? Share this~ perhaps it will comfort.
Soul Medicine: ( Chrysostom is talking here of losing a child..."You did but minister at his appearing" speaks of their birth and "the King's property" reminds us our children are not ours- they are God's.)
"You did but minister at his appearing; the whole work was God's own work. Let us give thanks therefore that we have been counted worthy to be His ministers in the matter. But what? Would you have had him for ever? This again proves you grudging, and ignorant that it was another's child which you had, and not your own. As therefore those who part resignedly are but aware that they have what was not theirs; so whoever gives way to grief is in fact counting the King's property his own. For if we are not our own, how can they be ours?" St John Chrysostom Homilies on First and Second Corinthians X.5,6 NPNF12.56
No comments:
Post a Comment