31 August 2008

Greetings Friends,

During the late spring and early summer months I wrote several times about the Eastern bluebirds that took up residence in our little white birdhouse, telling of the building of the nest and my delight in watching the first three tiny birds as they grew and then took flight. And then came yet another two eggs from which two more little ones emerged and I very much looked forward to witnessing their growth and development and their first attempts at flight, only to find one day in July that these two did not survive. If there are any who have not guessed by now, watching the wonders of nature that surrounds our home during this time of year is one of my great delights – something I would like to hold on to for more than a mere few months.

I suspect in all our lives there are events that give us great joy - ones we wish could last forever. But alas, nature has its own rhythm and the change in seasons brings about a change in our surroundings. Soon summer will give way to fall and the beautiful, bright colors that are a hallmark of that season. I also suspect each of us have had someone, or many people, in our lives who have been a blessing and very special and significant to us: best friends, family, other loved ones. And we probably have wished they could be with us forever. The very thought of having to say good-bye is almost unthinkable. And yet, like the seasons of the year, we come to realize there are also seasons of life and good-byes are eventually part of the hard life rhythms we have to face and move through. As I write this, during the wee hours of this July 21st morning while pondering the two lives celebrated at funeral liturgies over the past two days at St. Thomas, I cannot help but see a connection with Peter in today’s gospel.

As Jesus was preparing to go to Jerusalem, to his death, Peter could not or would not accept that this would in fact be Jesus’ fate. Peter did not want to have to say good-bye to Jesus. Does his reaction not also speak of our own response to the death of a loved one? And yet as Peter would eventually come to know, God had a greater plan in mind (Matthew 16: 21-27). It is through our faith and our trust and belief in the promise of eternal life from our loving God, that we have hope and can come to find comfort in our time of sorrow. Indeed if not clearly evident at no other time, it is in our experiencing the death of a loved one, that life has changed, but life has also not ended. For just as Jesus spoke of his coming death, he also spoke of his resurrection – new life! I pray for comfort and peace to fill the hearts of all who grieve.

May we always know the abundant love of God is forever with us.

Peace on the Journey