I couldn’t get past the first sentence in today’s Gospel. It describes Jesus in deep mourning. His cousin, his herald, his friend is dead—brutally and senselessly murdered. Jesus wants to be alone. He needs to be alone. So, he withdraws.
Grieving is one of the most important things we do in life. The loving relationships we form in our lives are some of the greatest blessings we experience. When a loved one dies, the emptiness can seem too great to bear. We, too, may need to withdraw and even to reach out to others for help. As someone said, grieving means “relearning the world”—relearning to live without this cherished person physically present in our life.
It is comforting to know that Jesus shared in our human grief.
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Lifting Ginny: O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of your being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you. (Ginny) Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.
*** What did Jesus usually do whenever He went off by Himself? Yes, in this case grieving for the loss of JTB…may be…He wept when He went to see Lazarus after his death even though He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from death? Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often went away to be by Himself and pray!” *** How to pray when hearts are broken and the loss is overwhelming? Pray God’s Word in Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man must not live only on bread. He must also live on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Deuteronomy 8:3)” *** How did Jesus deal with His grief of the death of JTB Vs the death of Lazarus? Different? Same? Matthew 14:13a, “Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So He went in a boat to a quiet place!” John 11:6-7, “So after He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two more days. And then He said to His disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”” ******* Both cases, Jesus’ priority was to preach the Gospel to the people!!! *** He was by Himself grieving for JTB when He saw the people and He immediately went back to ministering to them in Matthew 14:13b-14, “The crowds heard about this. They followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus came ashore, He saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people!” *** He stayed two more days to preach and risked His life to go visit Lazarus in John 11:8, “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short time ago the Jews there tried to kill you with stones. Are You still going back?”” *** I understand the most futile grounds to preach the Gospel are during funerals, weddings and births…What do you think? ******* BTW, don’t miss out on the difference between false prophets and true prophets in the Jeremiah passage!!!
As someone who lost my spouse nearly three years ago, my grief is very much a part of my daily existence. Your reflected blessed by broken heart. Thank you!
Thanks Sr. Melanie. We lost our oldest son 13 years ago, when he was only 33. I can look back and thank God for His presence, and so many othes He put in our lives around that time. Grief is difficult, but with God's loving help and support through family, friends, and sometimes perfect strangers, we survived ours.
I have a childhood friend who lost her husband 6 years ago. She has been inconsolable. They had no children, and her siblings have distanced themselves because of the negativity of her comments and feelings. She sought help initially, became an Altar Server at 70 years of age and seemed to be doing better. But then, she was diagnosed with cancer last year, had a successful surgery and did chemo, and was told she was in remission, with one more chemo to go. Shortly after that she fell at home, and only because of her dog’s incessant barking, a neighbor found her after 4 hours on the floor unable to get up. She spent 2 weeks in the hospital and then several weeks in a rehab facility. Her brother came for a couple of days (he is the brother who was asked by her late husband to watch over her). She is the oldest of 9 and he is the youngest, he left after a couple of days. She calls on him quite often, and he does try to help as much as he can, but his comment to her was “I just want to be your brother again”. Of our friends we have all tried to let her know she is loved and encourage positive thinking. She is back in counseling and on medication. She feels she’s alone and no one cares. She also has upcoming scans and tests in September that she considers a dark cloud hanging over her, she still had one more chemo to go but it was stopped because of her fall. Please keep Ginny in your prayers that she will feel His healing love and peace. Sr. Melannie, I too loved your words “…your grieving is the other side of loving.” And I also love the sentiment of “Grateful Grieving”. God Bless Us All And All Who We Love.❣️
Praying for your friend in many ways, Pam. She’s had several years of extreme loss and illness. Asking Our Lord Jesus to walk with her every day and let her feel your Loving presence in her heart and soul. You’re a wonderful friend to her, Pam. Sounds like you have a good circle of friends to support her. God bless all of you with His Love.
Pam I will pray for you and Ginny right now. Melannie i love your comments about grieving being the other side of loving. Picture perfect going to lake this morning with all my children and grandchildren. Ken
Amen! Peace, love & prayers for the need of all LFF.
A close friend died. We went to the wake. We shared stories that resulted in smiles and even laughter, animated sometimes. Not exactly mourning. Perhaps that’s how to deal with grief.
Sr. Melanie, I loved the translation of grieving as “relearning the world.” Thank you for sharing that with us. My friend Ellen has mentioned several times that she needs to learn to live in a world without Roman. This is definitely a relearning for her and for all of us grieving losses. Asking for prayers today as I need to lay someone off on my team. May they find more satisfying and life-giving work that appreciates their talents and accommodates their schedule. Amen.
Sorry this is late, Jane but I did say a prayer for you and asked The Holy Spirit to provide you with the strength and compassion for your team member as laying someone off is never easy. I’m sure that you made it as comfortable as possible in an uncomfortable situation. Remembering Ellen in prayer this evening as she begins the grieving process of losing Roman. May she take comfort in knowing that her husband is in the arms of Jesus and his suffering has turned into joy.
Thanks Ken. It was rough. Praying she is able to progress through it. Thanks for the prayers.
Jane you are a kind and compassion person I am sure they will appreciate your actions as hard as it may see. I am still not a robot. But I will pray for you this morning. Ken
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, and those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thanks Sr. Melanie. Very thought provoking and helpful. To Ken- thanks for the Padre Pio info.
Beautiful message and beautiful image. Prayers to all those grieving. Taking time to be alone and quiet with Jesus is powerful. I will find time to do be alone with him today.
Thank you Lord! When we are inconsolable, you meet us where we are, for you are truly the friend of a wounded heart. Thank you that you know, you understand and you share in our grief. Prayers and blessings Living Faith Family, especially those who are grieving at this time. Jesus cares!
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Thank you Sister Melannie for your beautiful reflection on grief. My Mom died over a year and a half ago already and the most comforting message I’ve heard is yours. “ Grieving is the other side of loving.” Thank you for this wonderful daily reminder of how grieving is because we have loved so much.