Comfort in Store
On the first weekend of November, All Saints’ Day, we remember those who have passed away. At that time, beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount are often read in churches. One of them reads: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
Jesus declares the mourners and sorrowful to be blessed, i.e. happy and blessed. It may seem strange to us. A person in the midst of grief often does not feel very happy.
However, for a person doing grief work, happiness can also be thought of from the point of view of gratitude. The absence of a loved one brings with it sadness and longing. Gratitude, on the other hand, comes from the knowledge that you actually were able to share your own life with them. When remembering shared experiences, you can feel gratitude, and understand how happy and blessed you have actually been.
God’s Holy Spirit is called the comforter in the Bible, “parakletos”, from the Greek word comforter, helper, companion. The Holy Spirit does among us what Jesus did when he was on earth. Spirit comforts and encourages.
In addition to the fact that God is able to comfort and walk beside the grieving person directly through his presence, the word and prayer, we humans are also called to do our part. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15). It can be of great importance when there is someone with whom you can share your grief.
However, Jesus’ promise of consolation is not limited to this moment and the days to come. As long as this world stands, there will be death, sorrow, and misery. All of us has to pass away someday. But Jesus promises himself something that only he can give, eternal life. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. “ (John 14:1-3)
With blessings, Pastor Timo
Download the complete Emmaus November 2022 Bulletin: