Our Greatest Losses (11/12/2023)

Yesterday, I went to a memorial mass to remember and pray for a most special young man. I sat behind the parents and felt their grief, so real it was tangible. I joined in the prayers and celebration of his life and in mourning his passing along with others present to acknowledge that he mattered, his life mattered, and he will be missed. I thought of my own times in the front pews after the death of my loved ones. And I thanked the LORD for the gift of love, acknowledging that it came with a price, but admitting it is always worth the price.

Before me was the most beautiful crucifix and upon it hung my LORD and Savior who not only taught me that love is what it is all about but also demonstrated to me the courage to love well and love long. As I shared the sorrow with the community, I prayed to Christ to take our lost one into His embrace.

Our greatest losses aren’t material. They are the loss of the ones we love, the ones we mourn. This pain is as it should be, as hard as it seems, because it means that we loved and that the one lost to us is loved. And through our faith, we are buoyed by the hope of life with Christ, life in abundance for the one whom we mourn. And we struggle because we know that is far better than this life, and we wrestle with ourselves, setting down what we want for what our loved one has in store for them.

The gospel reading at the mass yesterday was from the Gospel of Luke (7:11-17) recounting Jesus’ encounter with the widow of Nain who had just lost her son. Jesus understood grief. Jesus promised us in the beatitudes that “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” But when He saw the widow, weeping for her son, He was moved to restore her son. Jesus gets our grief. Jesus understands our sorrow at the time of our greatest losses. I can go to Christ for consolation.

As we continue our journeys in faith, buoyed by hope and fueled by love, let us constantly strive to love deeply and wholly our LORD and one another. Let us be willing to walk with others who have lost a loved one, who grieve, realizing the love within that sacred passing. Let us take time to acknowledge those whom we lose and those left behind who struggle in their grief. Love isn’t easy, but it is and always will be the essential ingredient of life.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.