November 1, 2023
Solemnity of All Saints
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
All in good time
A great multitude of those who survived the time of great distress, those who have washed their robes and made them white, stood around the throne and cried out in a loud voice, “Salvation comes from our God, and from the Lamb. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen!
His mother has a small piece of land reserved for burials, not far from here, in the countryside. Her mother and father are buried there. Perhaps she would like to be buried there as well, but for now she has offered this small piece of earth to her son and daughter-in-law, recently married, recently pregnant, recently miscarried. Their little boy was 18 weeks old. He weighed 121 grams.
Waves of grief sweep over his parents, and then the waves are washed away with tears. Those tears arise from great sadness, but then again out of an unexpected reservoir of joy. A verse from the letters of Peter has etched itself into their hearts.
Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Blue skies, gradually replaced with stars and a nearly full though waning moon, blessed Austin’s trick-or-treaters last night, including our sweetheart 6 and 4 year old grandkids Miles and Jasper. But it was snowing in Toronto, and bombs were falling in Ukraine, and medicine, food and water have disappeared in Gaza, in the war zones where children and mothers and old men and women most often are the victims.
Our friends read 2 Samuel 12, where David fasts and prays for his son, even after Nathan told him his son would die. He wept and pounded the walls, he refused all food, for seven days.
On the seventh day the child died. Then David arose from the earth and washed himself and changed his clothes. He went into the house of the Lord and worshipped. David asked for food, and he ate. His servants, astonished, asked “What is this thing you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when he died, you arose, you ate food.” David simply said, “Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
They found Psalms 30 and 121, perhaps written as David was seeking God in his fast, written by David after he betrayed God and was called to account by Nathan. The psalms lead us down a path through suffering into acceptance and peace.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? You made my mountain strong, but you hid your face and I was afraid. To you, O Lord, I cry, to the Lord I plead for mercy.
The child is sick. The child is dying.
What profit is there in this death, will the dust praise you? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
The child dies.
David ends his fast and resumes his life. Peter speaks of David and to us all.
Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Our friends’ son will not suffer. He is named and loved, he will always be remembered. As David said, “We shall go to him, but he shall not return to us.” As waves of grief recede, God’s assurance returns.
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing. Let me sing your praise and not be silent. It is you Lord, who will keep our going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
(Revelation 7, Psalm 24, 1 John 3, Matthew 11, Matthew 5)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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