The Comforted
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Reading (Revelation 21: 1-5)
I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and earth had passed away. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,"Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people, and God himself will always be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away. Behold, I make all things new!"
Song (Isaiah 61: 1-3)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,
To heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives,
And release to prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the Lord,
To comfort all who mourn,
To place on those who mourn a crown instead of ashes,
To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning,
A glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit.
Reflection
To mourn his losses is the final destiny of earthly man. Everything in this world moves inexorably toward death. Everything that a man clings to will one day be taken away from him. And after he has given up everything else, he must forfeit his own life. He does well to mourn.Human life would be cruel indeed if all things ended in death. But our Creator is not a cruel tyrant; he is the God of love. In a way far beyond our understanding, he makes all things new. He makes death not an end but a passing, not a loss to be mourned, but a new beginning to be anticipated with joy.
We do not know what is on the far side of death. We are still of the earth, and we do not understand the things of the spirit. But we know that our Father awaits us there. And that is enough for us. Every tear will be wiped away, and our mourning will turn to rejoicing in the house of the Lord.
Prayer
God our Father, you have assured us that beyond death comes eternal life. You have sealed the promise of eternal life by giving us your Son Jesus, who was raised from the dead and leads us in faith through the trials of this life to your heavenly kingdom.