In Grief we mourn, but with the Light of Christ our fears turn to Joy.

In Grief we mourn, but with the Light of Christ our fears turn to Joy.

Life’s unexpected tragedies usually come at a time when we don’t expect them.  Yet, there is another side to fear that will lift our drooping heart to something understood when we feel the light of hope shining within our souls.  To those who have been hit with the most severe news as losing someone close, the mention of a light that will shine in our darkness means little to the afflicted spouse or sibling.  

This is where an understanding of how the Lord reaches within a troubled heart and opens his heart to let the rays of assurance flow into the closed mind of the hurting person.  Suppose for a moment that you are beside that spouse or sibling and find that he/she has passed away.  Your life changes in a flash and there appears a cloud filled with why’s and fears to be faced alone.

As you look beyond the moment of reality something you heard before rings out clear and succinct.  “Quiet!  Be still!”  Why are you terrified”  (Mk 4: 39). The cloud of emptiness will disappear and the calm of the Spirit of God seems to make everything peaceful. 

Within the quest of misunderstanding we can find a reason that is an answer to life’s sudden appearance of death that leaves one wondering why so suddenly or even what is the reason for this now?  God answers Job:  “Were you there when I founded the earth?  Tell me,if you have understanding.  Who determined its size; do you know?  Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness?  Which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness?”   (Job 38: 4, 17, 19). 

From where the cloud of a storm once was there now is a light so brilliant that you can see an answer to all your fears that has no more doubt or questions.  Through the large array of life’s welcoming souls you see all the deceased family and friends that await his/her entrance into eternity with saints and angels welcoming their arrival.  

Your feeling of loss is now erased with the hope we’ve been hearing about for eons.  There is life beyond the grave and it is worth waiting for without bated anxiety.  That soul has found its way to Christ and will live forever, as we too shall follow one day.

St. Paul says;  “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.  For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”  (Phil 1: 21 - 23).

His choice appeared to come to fruition in Rome when he was beheaded.  He found his desire to be with Christ after he wrote most of the New Testament with at least 13 epistles (or letters).

Ralph B. Hathaway