I am mindful of the reality of grief and mourning, especially after recently attending a funeral here at St. Matthew's Parish. While funerals can offer momentary comfort and peace, they can also be immensely sorrowful. The ministry of the Church during this time of bereavement is to be a balm of healing and mercy amidst deep mourning and sadness. Still, there seems to be little that can be said or done that will bring complete relief to those who grieve. In the end, all we can do is walk with those who mourn through the patient art of accompaniment.
The first step on the journey of accompaniment is to be prayerfully present to others. We pray for the dead and for those who mourn. We then offer a comforting embrace, a hand to hold, and a shoulder to cry on. Only in this gentle way of accompanying those who mourn and grieve can we then offer a word of hope from the ever-living Word of God. Our words must then be embodied in acts of love.
The Scripture readings from this Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time reveal the power of accompanying those who mourn and weep.
Elijah the Prophet saw firsthand the terrible plight faced by the widow of Zarephath. At this time in the ancient Middle East, many women became destitute without a husband or son to support them. Jesus also knew the tragedy that befell the widow of Nain; she mourned not only for her son, but for herself. Elijah responds to the cries of the widow with his own prayer of hope and trust. And in today's Gospel, Jesus responds to the widow at Nain with a deep, heartfelt pity that moved him to act.
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| "Jesus Raises the Widow's Son" by Ann Lukesh |
While we may not miraculously resuscitate the dead as Elijah or Jesus did, we are still called to be present to those who have been shaken by the sting of death. Through the Spirit of God working within us, we are to cultivate eyes of compassion that see the suffering of others and ears that are able to hear the needs expressed by those who mourn. This journey of accompaniment also leads us to speak words of hope, particularly the promise of everlasting life. We care for those who have been left vulnerable by the death of their loved one. We act. In this way, through our communion with those who mourn, little "miracles" of new life begin to occur: tears are wiped away, grieving becomes acceptance, and the loneliness of despair gives way to solidarity with others.
Through the art of accompaniment, as learned from the Prophet Elijah and perfectly embodied in Jesus the Lord, we can begin to open up pathways of healing and hope. God is present. Hope is rekindled. And in amazement, like the townspeople at Nain, those who mourn may one day be able to proclaim: "God has visited his people!"
Ryan, I love your writings and insights to the Sunday Gospels. I believe as Christians we should never say goodbye to those who have passed but instead say "till we meet again". One of my favorite Bible verses put it very simply John 11:25-26 " Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. If we can Evangelize and be Disciples of Christ and help others to have a personal relationship with Jesus, then we can help those who who have lost a loved one find comfort in the knowledge that Jesus has imparted to us.
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