Standing in Grief – Seeing Jesus

In our Sunday morning scripture passages for this season of the year (Easter Season), one of the topics is Grief/Departure/Loss. Jesus is talking with his Disciples about the reality of his impending departure. “I won’t be with you much longer.” In worship, I noted that John 14-17 are chapters of scripture referred to by scholars as Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” I have also been touched by the fact that loss, death, grief, and dying have been contemporary and relevant topics in the life of our congregation as well.

Our congregation has experienced loss in the past month, with the deaths of multiple long-time members. There are others who I have visited that are staring into the unknown reality of their own final days and weeks. As a Pastor, it is an honor to be invited into these spaces and moments where grief, memory, sadness, and hope collide.

This Easter season, I have focused on and reiterated the importance of “seeing Jesus.” Clearly, it’s easy to see Jesus in the glory of the resurrection of Easter morning…but not every day is Easter. “I am going away, and I will come back to you again,” Jesus says. Yet, I’m not sure we always understand. How do we hold onto hope when absence is real, evident, and palpable and God’s presence simmers amidst distance and mystery. It’s not always easy to see Jesus.

I write this week’s article, reminding each of us to have grace, peace, and even forgiveness with and for ourselves during emotions we don’t exactly understand. Our faith gives us permission to feel “all the things.” Sometimes we feel them at the same time. In the midst of every season, our church will continue to proclaim the good news:

"God is with you. You are loved. You are not alone.”

Thanks be to God.

Very truly,

Pastor Adam