When we grieve, we grow in understanding and
appreciation from the deep experience of the mystery of God’s action in us. The
certainty of our loss lies beyond normal comprehension. Therefore, we must
expect our healing and acceptance to be in conflict with the suppression of our
tragic reality, but this very deep experience will continue to allow us to grow
in the breadth and depth of our faith. The grieving process is a time of
recollection and memories and becomes a perfect setting for a period of spiritual
renewal. It allows us the time to rediscover the great gifts of God’s work by
focusing on the meaning of life as it relates to our purpose on earth. If we
really believe in the death and resurrection of Christ, then we should find joy
in our suffering.
Each of us can relate to this Easter season
as it illustrates an aspect of passage from death to life with Christ. Our
experience of loss makes it easier for us to understand the specific aspect of
Christ’s triumph over death, it means that we too will rise. There is a need
for a continuing awareness of our loss. This awareness definitely helps so the
quiet moments of our grief are not lost. This awareness teaches us to prepare
our hearts to give to Christ.
After Christ’s death, we recall his two
disciples on a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus for a spiritual interpretation of
the risen Christ. So too, after we lose a loved one, our spiritual journey
should begin, expressing the profound pain of our loss but concluding with a
note of confidence in God. Christ’s death and also the death of our loved one
reveals the marvelous capacity for insight into our faith. Our faith is based
on Easter. The love of our separated spouse, child or parent is more visible
now than ever before in our life. Our faith urges us to show understanding of
our loss for while we have sorrow now, our loved one will rejoice in heaven.
§
With Easter in Mind was penned by Thomas Kelly for
Catholic Cemeteries, Spring 2006.
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