|
Dear Friend,
Peace to you.
The death of someone we know is always a painful time. Death arouses in us rather unpleasant feelings: shock, grieve, anger, loneliness, fear …
You may be feeling some of these emotions during such a time and face many questions about life and death. Someone else’s death may remind us of our own mortality: today it is this person, tomorrow another … one day, it will be me …
What happened to Jesus Christ gives us hope. He lived a life of trust in God, whom he calls “Father”. Though he died a cruel death at the hands of mankind, God the Father raised him to new life in glory.
Christians believe that Jesus is alive today. He invites us to share in his victory over sin and death by putting our trust in Him.
The Catholic Church is gathered here today because your relative or friend shared our belief that Life is changed, not ended.
We would like to share these verses from the bible that can help you through this difficult time.
The death of someone close may come as a shock. We may feel angry too. ‘Why did it happen?! I can’t believe he is gone…’
(Jesus said,) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27
With full voice I cry to the Lord; with full voice I beseech the Lord. Before God I pour out my complaint, lay bare my distress. Psalm 142:1-2
It is a time of regret,
‘If only…’
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5-7
You may feel helpless, lost and fearful. ‘What am I going to do?’
For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
The Lord said, “…I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Often, it is also a time of loneliness, ‘How can I go on alone?’
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed. Psalm 34:18
(God) has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5
Grieving is natural. Jesus also wept at the death of his friend.
When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” John 11:32-37
Jesus died and rose again to free us from the fear of death. He promises that if we trust in Him we will also have eternal life.
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26
Now since the children share in blood and flesh, (Jesus) likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Hebrews 2:14-15
Everyone’s life has value and is precious to God. God’s love for us is stronger than death.
“Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have written your name…” Isaiah 49:15-16
What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? …No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Roman 8:35, 37-39
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. …I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-3, 6
The Catholic community gathers as a family of hope. We strengthen each other on our journey through life. We look forward to living a new and abundant life forever, when we will be reunited in the joys of heaven as children of God.
God will heal the wounds and pain of the separation.
Though the death of someone dear to us is painful, with God there is hope, peace and joy.
May hope, peace and joy from God fill your heart.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.” Matthew 11:28-29
Produced by ACMA, 2004
Scripture verses taken from the New American Bible.
|
