Week of July 15, 2002
Michael S.

"Jesus said (unto her), 'I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?'"
     John 11:25-26

The last few months have been ones of loss and sorrow for my wife and me. We lost a dear friend of both Nancy and mine to cancer, the husband of my cousin to heart attack and now our sister-in-law has been in a coma for the past five weeks caused in an auto accident. The scripture passage has been on my mind for while now and challenges me to consider my faith.

It just doesn't seem fair that just at the time that people find happiness and joy that their lives be interrupted dramatically; that their loved ones should suffer such pain and sorrow. This is a normal human reaction to the anguish of others and ourselves.

And yet when I consider the question that Jesus asked, "Believeth thou this?", I am brought back to reality and the need to continue. Acceptance of tragedy is very difficult. When I think more deeply on this, I am reminded that though there is pain and sorrow in my life and in the lives of those I love, that there is hope and solace in the promise of Jesus that he is "the resurrection". The words of the hymn, "Blessed Assurance" bring comfort to me and release. I find the strength to go on and be of comfort and support to my family and others. And, I find understanding, acceptance and peace in my faith.

Dear Lord, I come to You laden with sorrow and pain. Let me find peace and solace in Your loving embrace. Let me understand and accept the tragedies as well as the good things that happen and strengthen my faith and my resolve with Your lovingkindness. Amen

Contributed by Michael S.
Published Monday July 15, 2002
Week 33 of Liturgical Year A