Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a
Psalm 10:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Luke 7:11-17
Do not weep (Luke 7:13)
These are the first words of a Man moved by compassion for the human condition. Of course, in trying circumstances, many of us are moved to tears, especially when we have lost someone precious to us. If we do not weep, then we don't much care.
Jesus knew, in these circumstances, what He was going to do. So He knew there was no cause for weeping. But even if He had not performed this miracle, He knew there was no reason for weeping. For we sleep in this life to awaken in eternal life.
The lesson to keep in mind is that, when we weep in our loss, we are weeping for ourselves~~for the pain of absence. We do not weep for the dead~~they are well taken care of. That doesn't heal the wound that their absence makes in us, but it provides comfort and assurance. They are no longer in our arms, but they are in the arms of Jesus who will care for them far better than we do.
Do not weep!
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
