THE BEATITUDES
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Matthew 5
How do we say goodbye?
In the Sermon On the Mount Jesus said:
“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted”
This is how we say goodbye, by a promise to comfort us and through God’s grace. Just as there is light there is darkness. Just as there is life there is death.
I wish we didn’t have to feel pain, sorrow or heart ache but on the other hand how would we measure happiness. Unfortunately pain is a part of life as well as death. No one wants to talk about death but it is as real as birth. In a birth we celebrate and in a death we morn but in both we can rejoice. It is easy to know how to rejoice in birth all you have to do is look in the face of a tiny precious soul so how do we rejoice in death?
It is the deceased who are able to rejoice for they have gone on to their heavenly home. The battle is over and they are free. There struggles have come to an end and their hearts are whole. They have received their wings and their hearts have been replenished with love, they are as free, as a dove.
It is the living who are left with a broken heart and a bent spirit for we remain in a world where our sorrow is so great we feel we can’t go on. Our hearts are heavy and our eyes are tired and we wonder if life will ever be the same again. When the suffering becomes unbearable just remember what Jesus said “blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”
I wish I had a magic wand that could take away the tears and the heartache but I don’t. All I have are my words and a prayer to offer. My prayer is that when it is time to say goodbye to someone you love that God will take you by the hand, carry you through the grief and gently set you down with your heart filled with love, your arms strengthened by grace and your eyes shining bright. [This is how you can comfort the dying and their loved ones.]
This is how you say goodbye with God’s love, grace and mercy.
Amen.
-Cindy Jones
