Retreat in Time of Sorrow: Day 4

retreat in time of sorrow
To mourn and weep in times of loss helps to heal the human heart. To do otherwise is unnatural and will not help the process of healing. Prayer also helps.

Paths Everyone who suffers a loss comes up against the questions: how long must I grieve the loss? How long must I mourn? Some people feel that they must be "in black" for a full year. Different cultures have different answers. What is your answer? Today let us reflect on "picking up the pieces of life and moving on".

The concept of our life span as a journey is an invaluable metaphor. A journey is filled with great scenery, interesting places, and a variety of people we meet along the way. Journeys are not just a constant travel. We stop along the way. We stop to drink more deeply of a place we enjoy; other times we stop because the car breaks down or someone gets sick and we encounter suffering. And then -- and then we move on.

Journeys bring new relationships and experiences, all part of the journey. Feelings of joy, peace and sorrow are all parts of the journey. They interact with previous events and then -- then we move on.

Is it now time to reflect: Where do I go from here?

Preparation

Settle yourself. Find a quiet and comfortable spot. Empty yourself of distractions. Breathe in and out- gently, peacefully. Again, remember you are in the presence of our incomprehensible God. Every fiber of your being is immersed in the immensity of God.

You are on a journey. You do not walk alone. God with you, sustaining you in life, loves you and supports you in your sorrow. Call upon the Holy Spirit to be with you today. Ask the Spirit of God to give you the courage to face the future and the journey before you.

Meditation

You may say:

"I have been traumatized by suffering. I have been scarred, and the scars will remain. Well and good to talk about picking up the pieces and starting life again. It's not that easy. The memory will remain. Tears will still come. And waves of grief will overwhelm me every so often. But continue my journey I must, I am not alone.

"Scripture has been a support. Yet, its examples are often success stories -- they didn't have to live on with the heavy heart I have. Look at the widow, whose dead son was given back his life by Jesus. (Luke 7:12) Her pain ended with his first words. Or Mary Magdalene, grieving at the death of Jesus, suddenly meets him face to face in the garden near the tomb. She turns deliriously happy. Look at Jesus returning Lazarus to Martha and Mary. Look at the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Joy filled their hearts. Even the Mother of Jesus who held his dead body on her knees rejoiced at the Resurrection. She had her son back. The crosses they carried seem to be replaced quickly by joy.

"But not all sorrows are suddenly turned into joy. We know that from our own experience. The lives of the early Christians may be more like ours. How they must have been devastated at the deaths of Saints Peter and Paul and the long Roman persecutions. Their sufferings did not end quickly."

Scripture does shed light on this very human situation. In the darkness of bitter sorrow we must grasp what help God gives to make this transition. Like a person drowning, we have to hold on for dear life to whatever help we can get.

day four: meditation, continued

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