Connecting with Something Bigger

January 20, 2020

Scripture

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

 (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV)

Connecting with Something Bigger

Across Canada vigils were held at schools, universities, community centres and halls to remember the lives of the Canadian citizens and residents ended in the skies over Iran. Our human longing to connect with a larger context and have ceremonies to help with grieving has been on display in beautiful ways.

When we despair at the decline in obvious forms of spiritual expression it is good to be reminded that we still long to connect with something bigger than ourselves when tragedies are beyond explanation and sorrows are too much to handle on our own.

I see the promise of Jesus in these events, his walking with the suffering and embracing the sorrowful. The one who knows grief and suffering calls us to be with these dear people in their grief. Whether it is an international incident or a private sorrow, we are granted a great gift to be invited to join in the grieving with presence and compassion.

A Prayer for Today

O God of all comfort, we cry out for those who are in pain this day, who wish the nightmare would pass and reality would be kinder. The big public stories have our attention but so many have pain and walk alone and unacknowledged. Grant us wisdom to be present with them when we can, offer comfort and ceremony when helpful but to trust your compassion at all times       .…. For Jesus’ sake