Monday, April 27, 2015

A time to grieve

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.


Today, Lord,
I am grieved
by the news of death:
--death due to tragedy in Nepal
--death due to illness of friend's spouse

O Holy Comfort,
come and wrap us
in your loving embrace.
Weep with us.
Join us in search and rescue.
Now is the time for grief.
Remind us
just how fragile life is.
Teach us
to live each day for you
loving,
forgiving,
enjoying,
rejoicing.
And when the time
for tears is over,
help us build again.
Rebuilding homes destroyed,
reaching out,
offering ourselves in love to others,
and receiving their friendship
and love as well.

Until the day
when the time is right
and all are united
at your banquet table,
Lord, 
may your comforting hand
be upon all who grieve.
Amen.

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