Consolation

A tragedy requires that I write a consolation message to a young couple who lost their unborn twins. I need wisdom from above to write the right thing in the right way.

Book of Common Prayer, 1928

For a Person under Affliction.
O MERCIFUL God, and heavenly Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men; Look with pity, we beseech thee, upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy; endue his soul with patience; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; lift up thy countenance upon him, and give him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Accept

I

accept

your

tears.

God,

please give her

her mind back.

Have mercy on her and us.

Pathetic--Empathic

The deeply pathetic should arouse in us, call forth, the deeply empathic--not ignorance, disgust or anger. God is love and watches all of us, willing to give us God-inspired feelings to fit the devestations of the fall.

A Good Friday Reflection

Suffering, rightly embraced becomes a crucible.

That is no easy skill.

Crucible refers to the Cross of Christ.

Therefore, affirming and accepting the suffering

as a Crucible

can make one more like Jesus Christ,

who died and rose from the dead--

but not one without the other.

Remember not to forget

Unremembered exigencies later emerge

as monsters,

ready to consume

peace and productivity.