The Lord’s teaching certainly acknowledges the reality of sorrow and pain at the death of a loved one while pointing to the promise of eternal life and resurrection and reunion.
The passage begins with Jesus teaching, "Do not let your hearts be troubled". The death of a loved one certainly causes trouble to our hearts. It can cause intense emotional pain, sadness, and a sense of emptiness. Death can trigger feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty about the future. The absence of a loved one can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. And its not uncommon for those who are grieving to experience anger or to question God's plan.
So the Lord acknowledges the soul-sickness and then prescribes the remedy—he addresses the heartache of loss by calling his disciples to deepen their faith. Faith enables us to trust in God’s plan in times of uncertainty, to know God’s closeness in times of loneliness and isolation, to grow in acceptance of circumstances beyond our control, and find meaning in events we cannot understand.
Faith does not eliminate grief, rather, it makes grief bearable and transforms grief into an opportunity for spiritual growth—of encountering and experiencing God in a new way.
This is why St. Paul says that Christians do not grieve like the rest of the faithless, hopeless world. Christians are able to experience grief as a way of drawing nearer to God and even to become the people God made us to be.
Yes, the Lord’s promise of eternal life is consoling, but growing in faith doesn’t just bring alleviation of grief but also transformation. Faith practiced amidst crosses like grief and loss and suffering enables us to become more like Christ—not just in his humanity, but in his divinity. Faith transforms us, so much so that St. John writes “what we shall be has not yet been revealed.”
Faith enables the fulfillment of our destiny to become more and more like God for eternity, but that journey begins by following Christ—who is the way, the truth, and the life, now—by seeking to become more like Christ in this life.
May the Holy Spirit assist us in conforming our lives to Christ by bringing about in us an increase in that faith which deepens our communion with Christ in all things for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.
For Pope Francis and Bishop Malesic, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd and for an increase in vocations to the ordained priesthood, and that our priests may serve the Church with the love and devotion of the Good Shepherd.
For our parish, that we may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ and his tender love for sinners and for the poor.
For members of Christ’s flock who have wandered far from the Church: for the desire and will to return to the Sacraments; for deliverance from all spiritual evils and an increase in virtue for the faithful.
For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know the peace and consolation of the Good Shepherd.
That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.
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