Page 2 - Comfort My People

Just days before his crucifixion (and resurrection) Jesus, truly human, truly divine, grieves outside the
tomb of his friend Lazarus, before calling him forth. He shows us that we are permitted to grieve our
losses – even if there is a resurrection awaiting each of us. For now, we are bound by time and an
incomplete understanding of what is taking place all around us. And so, I think, the Creator gave us
imaginations so that we might be able to know something of the divine intention to bring blessing to
us in the midst of evil. We are to imagine God’s desire to give us hope to replace our sorrow. I think
God wants us to find life-affirming ways to comfort ourselves when are unable to feel our Creator’s
presence.

As a recent meme in our shared chat says, “Sometimes we need someone to simply be there.” And
this “being with” without needing to change or fix anything is one of the ways that we can represent
our Creator’s love to one another.

In thinking about simply “being with” I am reminded of a story from Chicken Soup for the Soul. There
was a very young boy whose elderly neighbour had just lost his wife. The little boy saw the man crying
and went over and climbed into his lap. When his mother wanted to know what he had said to the
man, the little boy answered, "Nothing... I just helped him cry."

I am also reminded of a village in northern Australia.
In a post on Literary Hub, David Kessler writes: “I was touring in Australia when I met a researcher who
told me about the work she was doing to study the way of life in the northern indigenous villages of
Australia. One of the villagers told her that the night someone dies, everyone in the village moves a
piece of furniture or something else into their yard. The next day, when the bereaved family wakes up
and looks outside, they see that everything has changed since their loved one died—not just for them
but for everyone. That’s how these communities witness, and mirror, grief. They are showing in a
tangible way that someone’s death matters. The loss is made visible.”
From “Our experience of grief is unique as a finger print”

It makes a significant difference when we know that we have been seen, heard, understood and loved.

The good news is that even if the people around us are forgetful or distracted in our hour of need,
God is with us, cradling us close, and whispering peace to our hearts.

May we have the grace to grow quiet, and listen. Amen.