I write this devotion two days after the death of my mother while grieving is both painful and healing. The word that permeates my thoughts since her dying is breath. For you who don't know, Mom died at our home of a massive heart attack. One of things that happened in this process was that I gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. My breath did give her a weak pulse for a few minutes, but neither it nor the intervention of professionals could return the God given breath of life to her.

Healing for me in the grieving process includes prayer and meditation. Searching inspiration for the word "breath" I find:

Genesis 2:7
"Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a human being."
 
Isaiah 42:5
"Thus says the God, our Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it."
 
Dnyandaya
"To talk with God, no breath is lost -- talk on."

And, I can sing..............

"Breath on me breath of God;
  Fill me with life anew,
  That I may love all that you love
  And do what you would do."
  Amen.

Contributed by Nancy E.
Published Sunday August 28, 2000
Week 40 of Liturgical Year B